plate no. 0884

Elk in Lake McDonald

Charles M. Russell, 1906

oilRomanticismanimal paintingelklakemountainswatertreessky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering reflections in water. It also provides practice in depicting animal anatomy and fur texture.

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 elk and the mountain range.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with thin washes of color, creating a soft, blended effect.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes and values of the mountains, using cooler tones for distant peaks.
step 04
Paint the elk, starting with the darker areas and gradually adding highlights to define their forms.
step 05
Add details to the water, including reflections of the elk and the sky.
step 06
Paint the foreground elements, such as the rocks and logs, using a variety of textures.
step 07
Refine the details of the elk, adding fur texture and subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix muted blues and purples for the mountains by combining ultramarine blue with burnt umber and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the warm tones of the elk by blending burnt umber, yellow ochre, and cadmium yellow.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground, which can distract from the main subject.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the mountains by not using enough atmospheric perspective.
→Making the reflections in the water too sharp or defined.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can make the painting look unnatural.