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home·artworks·FLOCK OF SHEEP IN THE SNOW
FLOCK OF SHEEP IN THE SNOW by August Friedrich Schenck

plate no. 6552

FLOCK OF SHEEP IN THE SNOW

August Friedrich Schenck

oilRomanticismanimal paintingsheepshepherdsnowdoglandscapefigure

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the shepherd, sheep, and dog.

  2. step 02

    Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, paying attention to the light source.

  3. step 03

    Block in the main shapes of the sheep with a mix of white, ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna.

  4. step 04

    Add details to the sheep's wool using dry brush techniques and varying shades of white and brown.

  5. step 05

    Paint the shepherd and dog, focusing on their form and texture.

  6. step 06

    Create the snow using a mix of white and cool grays, adding subtle shadows and highlights.

  7. step 07

    Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.

  8. step 08

    Glaze with thin washes to unify the painting and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · payne's gray · raw sienna

Achieve the subtle variations in the sheep's wool by mixing white with small amounts of burnt umber and yellow ochre. Use payne's gray to create cool shadows in the snow.

techniques

  • ·dry brush
  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·value studies

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
  • →Using too much color and creating a painting that is too vibrant.
  • →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
  • →Not capturing the texture of the sheep's wool.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas 18x24
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·payne's gray oil paint
  • ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
  • ·flat brushes (sizes 1/2 inch, 1 inch)
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·raw sienna oil paint

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A slightly textured canvas will help with the dry brush technique.

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