plate no. 3392

Cows Resting

oilRealismanimal paintingcowslandscapegrassskytreesanimals

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting light and shadow on rounded forms and creating a sense of depth in a landscape using atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms and capture the essence of the subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cows and the landscape elements (horizon line, trees, mountains).
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the cows and in the landscape using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the color layers, focusing on the local color of the grass, sky, and cows.
step 04
Refine the shapes and details of the cows, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the landscape, such as the trees, mountains, and clouds.
step 06
Use broken brushstrokes to create texture in the grass and foliage.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where necessary to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of form and depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · viridian green · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix greens by blending viridian green with yellow ochre and titanium white. Achieve the subtle variations in the cows' coats by mixing titanium white with small amounts of yellow ochre, burnt umber, and alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of alizarin crimson for the clouds.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
→Creating harsh edges and neglecting to blend colors.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the cows wrong.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, titanium white, viridian green, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium yellow light, alizarin crimson)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags