plate no. 1152

Leading Cows to the Stall

Gustave de Smet, 1933

oilExpressionismanimal paintingcowsbuildingstreesfigurerural scene

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand simplified forms and color blocking, as well as how to create a sense of depth using color temperature and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cows, buildings, and trees, focusing on their relative positions and sizes.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background, using a limited palette of browns, reds, and oranges.
step 03
Add the base colors for the cows, using lighter shades of brown and cream.
step 04
Define the shapes of the buildings with white and red, simplifying the details.
step 05
Add darker values to create shadows and define the forms of the cows and buildings.
step 06
Introduce the figure, paying attention to its placement and scale relative to the other elements.
step 07
Refine the details of the cows, such as the spots and udders.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix browns by combining burnt umber with red and yellow ochre. Use white to create lighter shades of brown and cream for the cows. Add a touch of blue to darken the browns for shadows.

techniques