plate no. 9720

Fight for the Water Hole

Frederic Remington, 1903

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfigureshorsesdesertmountainsskywater

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice depicting figures in a landscape and understanding light and shadow to create depth. Students can also develop their skills in painting realistic textures, such as the rough terrain and the smooth water surface.

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 figures, horses, and landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky, mountains, and desert floor.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
step 04
Develop the details of the figures and horses, focusing on their anatomy and clothing.
step 05
Add texture to the landscape using broken brushstrokes and varying paint thickness.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, ensuring that the painting has a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Glaze the painting with a thin layer of medium to unify the colors and add a subtle sheen.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the desert sand. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky and mountains. Mix burnt umber and cadmium red for the figures' clothing.

techniques