plate no. 5383

Deer Grazing

Charles M. Russell, 1912

oilRomanticismanimal paintingdeermountainslandscapetreesskygrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering animal forms within a landscape. It also provides practice in layering colors and creating texture with brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the mountains, deer, and foreground elements.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blues and yellows, blending softly.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with progressively darker shades of blue, creating atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Paint the mid-ground trees and foliage, using a mix of greens, browns, and yellows.
step 05
Add the deer, paying attention to their anatomy and proportions.
step 06
Develop the foreground with details like rocks, grass, and small plants.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix blues and whites for the sky and distant mountains. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the foreground grasses and rocks. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to create warmer browns and oranges.

techniques