plate no. 1598

An Assault on His Dignity

Frederic Remington, 1906

oilImpressionismgenre paintinghorsesfigurescowboyslandscapegrasswestern

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in motion, creating atmospheric perspective, and using broken color to suggest detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the horses and riders.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of warm colors, creating a sense of distance.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the horses and riders, using simplified forms and values.
step 04
Begin adding details to the horses and riders, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Use broken color and short, choppy brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the grass and foliage.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, paying attention to the expressions and gestures of the figures.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the painting and adjust the overall color harmony.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · raw umber · ivory black

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create cooler shadows. Add small amounts of cadmium red for warmer highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the impressionistic feel.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of depth and distance.
→Inaccurate proportions of the horses and riders.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt sienna, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, raw umber, ivory black)
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·linseed oil
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags