plate no. 4321

Lion

oilNaturalismanimal paintinglionrocksgrasslandscapeanimalsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic animal fur and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of rocks and grasses.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the lion and the rocks, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Establish the background sky with a thin wash of blue and white.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the lion's body and mane, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Begin to define the shapes of the rocks, using a range of grays and browns.
step 05
Add details to the lion's face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Develop the texture of the lion's fur with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the rocks and grasses, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and titanium white for the sky. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or cadmium yellow to warm up the browns.

techniques