plate no. 0411
Planting with horses
Antonio Ligabue, 1956
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in layering colors to create depth and texture, and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. Students can learn to capture movement and energy through expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horses, village, and sky.
- step 02
Block in the main colors for the sky, fields, and buildings using thin washes.
- step 03
Add the base colors for the horses, dog, and figure, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to define the forms of the horses and add details to their harnesses.
- step 05
Develop the village in the background, adding details to the buildings and trees.
- step 06
Refine the sky and clouds, blending colors to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add final details to the foreground, including the dog, figure, and cart.
- step 08
Apply highlights and shadows to enhance the overall contrast and create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cerulean blue
secondary · sap green · titanium white · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown for the horses by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of black. Achieve the green hues for the fields by mixing sap green with yellow ochre and white.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·simplification
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the background, which can distract from the main subject.
- →Failing to capture the movement and energy of the horses.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, which can make the painting look unnatural.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth and form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, yellow ochre, cerulean blue, sap green, titanium white, ivory black)
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paints.
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