plate no. 7966

Landscape

oilRococolandscapeskycloudslandscapehorseswagonfigure

some experience helpful

This painting allows students to practice creating atmospheric perspective and rendering dynamic skies with visible brushstrokes. It also provides an opportunity to learn how to suggest detail in distant objects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and placement of the wagon and figures.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks of the sky and the lights of the ground.
step 03
Begin layering the sky with blues, greens, and grays, using loose, expressive brushstrokes.
step 04
Add highlights to the clouds to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Paint the ground with a mix of browns, creams, and whites, suggesting texture with varied brushstrokes.
step 06
Render the wagon and horses, simplifying the forms and focusing on their overall shape and value.
step 07
Add the figure, paying attention to its pose and relationship to the wagon.
step 08
Refine details and adjust values to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Burnt umber

secondary · Yellow ochre · Raw sienna · Payne's gray

Mix blues and whites for the sky, adding touches of yellow ochre for highlights. Use burnt umber and white for the ground, and mix in small amounts of blue to create cooler shadows.

techniques