plate no. 9191

Downs in winter

Eric Ravilious, 1934

oilMagic Realismlandscapelandscapehillsfieldstreesskyfarm equipment

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and linear perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations to depict rolling hills and fields.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and major shapes of the hills and fields.
step 02
Sketch the farm equipment in the foreground, paying attention to perspective.
step 03
Block in the sky with a light gray wash, leaving a lighter area for the sun.
step 04
Apply a base layer of green and brown washes to the hills and fields, varying the tones to create depth.
step 05
Add details to the fields using thin lines to represent furrows.
step 06
Paint the trees as a dark mass, suggesting individual branches.
step 07
Paint the farm equipment, using a mix of browns and grays, and add details like the chains.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and white for the sky and fields. Use sap green and yellow ochre for the green areas. Add a touch of payne's gray to darken the shadows.

techniques