plate no. 6577

Courses a Saint Cloud

Emilio Grau Sala, 1963

oilFauvismgenre paintinghorsesjockeystreesskyfigureslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork and capturing movement with simplified forms. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve a harmonious, slightly muted palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horses and figures.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, grass, trees, and the main shapes of the horses.
step 03
Begin adding details to the horses and jockeys, using bold brushstrokes to define their forms.
step 04
Develop the background elements, such as the trees and distant building, with simplified shapes and colors.
step 05
Add details to the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their gestures and clothing.
step 06
Refine the color palette by adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final touches, such as small details in the foliage and the fence in the foreground.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · sap green · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Achieve the muted greens by mixing sap green with raw umber and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to create the darker tones for the horses and figures.

techniques