plate no. 3298

Freshness of Morning

Algernon Talmage, 1920

oilImpressionismanimal paintingcowstreeslandscapefigurefieldfoliage

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the cows, trees, and horizon line.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin blocking in the larger shapes of the trees and foliage with broad brushstrokes.
step 04
Add details to the cows, paying attention to their anatomy and the way light falls on their forms.
step 05
Develop the background landscape, using lighter values and cooler colors to create depth.
step 06
Refine the details in the foreground, adding highlights and shadows to the grass and foliage.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · sap green

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and ultramarine blue. Create shadows by adding burnt sienna and raw umber to the base colors. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima
·atmospheric perspective
·color temperature

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a clear focal point.
→Ignoring the effects of light and shadow on the forms.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, sap green, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags