plate no. 4495
La Vallee
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering soft, diffused light. It also provides practice in painting a large group of animals with varying degrees of detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the haystack, trees, and the path.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of diluted paint, paying attention to the light source.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the haystack, trees, and animals with their local colors.
- step 04
Begin to refine the details of the haystack, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 05
Develop the foliage of the trees, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and variation.
- step 06
Add details to the sheep, focusing on their forms and the direction of light.
- step 07
Refine the path and foreground, adding details such as rocks and vegetation.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · sap green
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · raw sienna
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using white to create tints. The atmospheric haze is created by adding white and a touch of blue to the base colors.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, which can flatten the image.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, which can detract from the overall mood.
- →Ignoring the atmospheric perspective, which can make the image appear flat.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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