plate no. 6939

Ball-play of the Choctaw--Ball Up

oilRealismgenre paintingfigureslandscapeskytreestipisgame

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in motion and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering complex scenes with many elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the horizon line, the shape of the hills, and the placement of the major groups of figures and tipis.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of blue, blending it towards the horizon.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the landscape, using a mix of greens and browns, and indicate the areas of light and shadow.
step 04
Start adding the tipis, paying attention to their perspective and spacing.
step 05
Begin to paint the figures, starting with the larger, more detailed figures in the foreground and gradually simplifying the details as they recede into the distance.
step 06
Use small brushstrokes to suggest the movement and energy of the figures.
step 07
Add details such as the poles, clothing, and facial features.
step 08
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · raw umber · sap green · cadmium red light

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and cerulean blue. Achieve skin tones by blending burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white. Use raw umber to create shadows and darker tones.

techniques