plate no. 6843

Louis XV (1710-1774) Stag Hunting in the Forest at Saint-Germain

oil, canvasRococogenre paintingfigureshorsesdogsforestwaterlandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with many figures and animals, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective and color mixing for realistic landscapes. It also provides practice in rendering details in clothing and animal anatomy.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main groups (figures, horses, dogs, trees).
step 02
Establish the background landscape with broad washes of color, paying attention to atmospheric perspective (lighter and cooler colors in the distance).
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and horses, focusing on accurate proportions and poses.
step 04
Begin adding details to the figures' clothing and faces, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 05
Paint the dogs, capturing their movement and individual markings.
step 06
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add reflections in the water, paying attention to the distortion and color variations.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · sap green

Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create a range of greens for the foliage. Mix titanium white with small amounts of other colors to create subtle highlights and atmospheric effects.

techniques