plate no. 2156

Before the Storm

oilRealismlandscapelandscapecowsroadstorm cloudsfieldstrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice atmospheric perspective and learn how to create a sense of depth using value and color temperature. It also provides an opportunity to study cloud formations and how light interacts with them.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the road, horizon line, and placement of the cows.
step 02
Block in the sky with dark, moody colors, paying attention to the shape and form of the storm clouds.
step 03
Establish the values of the landscape, creating depth by making distant areas lighter and less detailed.
step 04
Paint the road, using a light color and varying the tone to suggest texture and perspective.
step 05
Add the cows, focusing on their basic shapes and values.
step 06
Develop the details of the landscape, including the fields, trees, and stone walls.
step 07
Refine the clouds, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of drama.
step 08
Add final details, such as the lightning strike and any small details in the foreground.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · cadmium red

Mix dark grays and browns for the sky and landscape. Use white to lighten the road and create highlights. Add a touch of red to the browns to create warmth.

techniques