plate no. 5961

Artist's Daughter on Horseback

oilRomanticismportraithorsefigureportraitlandscapeskydress

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering form with loose brushwork and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in painting a complex subject like a horse.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the horse, rider, and background with charcoal or a light wash.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin underpainting of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main colors of the horse, rider's dress, and background, focusing on large shapes.
step 04
Develop the form of the horse with layers of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the rider's face and clothing, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the horse's tack and the rider's features.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and adjust values.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Achieve the horse's coat color by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and touches of cadmium red. The dark dress is primarily ivory black with hints of ultramarine blue. The sky is a mix of white, umber, and blue.

techniques

·alla prima
·scumbling
·glazing
·dry brushing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating harsh edges that detract from the atmospheric effect.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the horse incorrect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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