plate no. 7309

Goats at a Fountain

Henry Herbert La Thangue, 1926

oilImpressionismgenre paintinggoatsfountainfigurebuildingstreesvillage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow using broken color and learn to suggest form with loose brushstrokes. It will also improve their ability to create a sense of depth and atmosphere in a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the fountain, buildings, figure, and goat groupings.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and fountain, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Begin adding details to the goats, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest their fur and form.
step 05
Develop the background trees and foliage, using a variety of greens and browns.
step 06
Refine the details of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the shape of the face.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and white. Use small amounts of blue and yellow to create subtle variations in the greens and browns.

techniques