plate no. 4427

Five Brood Mares

oil, canvasRomanticismanimal paintinghorsestreeslandscapeanimalsskygrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in animal anatomy, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and mixing subtle color variations to depict light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the horses and the main tree.
step 02
Block in the background sky and distant trees with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the horses, paying attention to their individual colors and forms.
step 04
Develop the details of the main tree, including the trunk, branches, and leaves.
step 05
Refine the shapes and values of the horses, adding details such as muscles, manes, and tails.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Paint the foreground grass and details.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ivory black, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the browns and create atmospheric perspective in the background.

techniques