plate no. 6947
Lehmisavu
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering animal forms in a naturalistic setting. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to capture the warm, muted light of the scene.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic composition and placement of the cows and buildings.
- step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of warm yellows and oranges, blending the colors softly.
- step 03
Establish the ground plane with a mix of browns and ochres, varying the tones to create depth.
- step 04
Roughly paint in the shapes of the buildings and trees in the background, paying attention to their relative values.
- step 05
Start adding the cows, focusing on their overall shapes and proportions before adding details.
- step 06
Use a limited palette to create a sense of harmony and unity in the painting.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the cows and buildings to create form and dimension.
- step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches, such as the smoke and the well.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red
Mix variations of browns and grays by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and white. Use yellow ochre and white to create the warm tones of the sky and the cows' coats. Add small amounts of red to warm up the browns.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Neglecting the importance of atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, raw sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium red)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting knife
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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