plate no. 3316

Calendar: July (Harvesting and Sheep Shearing)

vellumInternational Gothicillustrationcastlefigureslandscapesheepharvestzodiac

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and detail, as well as practicing precise brushwork for rendering intricate details like the castle architecture and figures.

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 outlining the major elements: the calendar arc, castle, figures, and landscape.
step 02
Block in the sky and background mountains with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the base tones for the castle walls, ensuring accurate perspective.
step 04
Paint the field with varied yellows and browns, suggesting texture and depth.
step 05
Add the figures, starting with basic shapes and gradually adding details like clothing and tools.
step 06
Render the sheep with small, textured brushstrokes to create a woolly effect.
step 07
Paint the calendar arc with its intricate details, using fine brushes.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall realism and depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · vermilion · gold

Achieve the sky's subtle gradients by mixing ultramarine blue with varying amounts of white. Create the field's golden hues by blending yellow ochre with burnt umber and touches of vermilion.

techniques