plate no. 2788

Bissevejr

Theodor Philipsen, 1909

oilImpressionismanimal paintingcowsgeesewaterskyhorsesanimals

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting reflections in water and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering animal forms and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the animals and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with broad, blended strokes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the cows and geese, focusing on their proportions and poses.
step 04
Begin adding details to the animals, such as their fur, feathers, and facial features.
step 05
Create the reflections in the water, using slightly darker and blurred versions of the objects above.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and textures, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 08
Add final touches, such as the birds in the sky and the ripples in the water.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · ivory black

Achieve the various browns by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten the colors for highlights and reflections.

techniques