plate no. 9674

Landscape with Cattle

Algernon Talmage, 1917

oilImpressionismlandscapelandscapetreescattlefieldskyclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in capturing the effects of light on a landscape. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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 trees, horizon line, and cattle.
step 02
Block in the sky with light blues and whites, using loose, broken brushstrokes to suggest clouds.
step 03
Establish the base color of the field with a mix of yellows and greens, varying the tones to create depth.
step 04
Paint the distant trees and foliage with darker greens and browns, softening the edges to create atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Add the trees in the foreground, paying attention to the shapes of the branches and the play of light and shadow.
step 06
Block in the cattle with basic shapes and colors, using highlights and shadows to create form.
step 07
Add details to the cattle, such as spots and facial features.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting colors, values, and edges as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows, and vary the tones by adding white, umber, or sienna. Create atmospheric perspective by lightening and cooling colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques