plate no. 3947
Barbouyo
Rosa Bonheur, 1879
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing animal fur texture and creating subtle value gradations to define form. It also provides practice in achieving a realistic likeness of an animal subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
5
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the dog's head and body.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of muted green/brown.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the dog's fur, using a limited palette of browns and creams.
- step 04
Begin to build up the texture of the fur with short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Add the signature in the bottom right corner.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust values.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · cadmium red (for signature)
Mix browns by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and a touch of black. Use white to lighten these mixtures and create highlights. Add a touch of red to warm up the browns.
techniques
- ·Dry brushing for fur texture
- ·Blending for smooth transitions
- ·Layering to build depth
- ·Glazing to unify colors
- ·Scumbling to create soft edges
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the fur and losing the overall form.
- →Using too much white and creating a chalky effect.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the fur.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·Oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, ivory black)
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brush (size 8)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·Medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·Varnish
Use artist-grade oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will be easier to work with.
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