plate no. 3486

Lambs and sheep at the fountain

oilRealismanimal paintingsheepfigurelandscapetreeswateranimals

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures, particularly the wool of the sheep, and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth in a landscape. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a complex scene.

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 figure, sheep, and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the main value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the sky and distant landscape with broad strokes, paying attention to color temperature.
step 04
Begin building up the forms of the sheep, using layers of color to create the texture of the wool.
step 05
Define the details of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the expression on the face.
step 06
Add details to the trees and foliage, using a variety of greens and browns.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows, adding depth and dimension to the painting.
step 08
Add the final details, such as the water flowing from the fountain and the small flowers in the foreground.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix various browns and grays by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Mix greens by combining blues and yellows.

techniques