plate no. 2652

Fording the Horse Herd

Charles M. Russell, 1900

oilRomanticismgenre paintinghorseswaterfiguresmountainsskylandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting reflections in water, creating atmospheric perspective, and rendering complex forms like horses in motion. It also offers practice in capturing the subtle color variations of a sunset sky.

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 of the mountains, water line, and main group of horses.
step 02
Establish the sky gradient with soft washes of yellow, orange, and purple, blending carefully.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with muted purples and blues, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Lay in the base colors for the water, reflecting the sky and mountains.
step 05
Begin adding the horses, starting with the largest forms and gradually adding details.
step 06
Refine the figures on horseback, paying attention to anatomy and clothing details.
step 07
Add reflections in the water, using slightly darker and less defined versions of the objects above.
step 08
Add final details to the foreground elements, such as the shoreline and vegetation.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · raw umber · violet · cadmium yellow

Achieve the sunset colors by mixing yellows, oranges, and reds with white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create various browns and grays for the horses and landscape. Mix violet with white for the mountain highlights.

techniques