plate no. 1249

French Cross

Alex Colville, 1988

oilMagic Realismgenre paintinghorsefigurecrossskyfieldfence

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering realistic textures with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in accurately depicting complex shapes like the horse and cross.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the horizon line and the relative sizes of the horse, figure, cross, and fence.
step 02
Block in the large shapes with thin washes of color, starting with the sky and working down to the foreground.
step 03
Develop the sky by layering different shades of gray and white to create the cloud effect.
step 04
Paint the horse and figure, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading to create form.
step 05
Add details to the cross, fence, and foreground, paying attention to the textures and colors of the grass and foliage.
step 06
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · gray · brown · green · blue

secondary · white · ochre · pink

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and a touch of blue or brown. Achieve the horse's color by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and touches of yellow ochre and white.

techniques