plate no. 0654

Landscape, Setting Sun (The Little Shepherd)

oil, canvasNeoclassicismlandscapelandscapetreesfiguresheeprocksfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as rendering realistic foliage and figures within a landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees, rocks, and figure.
step 02
Establish the sky and distant landscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the trees and rocks, paying attention to their values.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and form in the trees and rocks.
step 05
Add details to the foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the skin.
step 07
Add the sheep to the background, keeping them simple and indistinct.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining raw umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and white. Use burnt sienna to add warmth to the rocks and foliage.

techniques