plate no. 8747
Schäferin mit Herde
Charles Jacque, 1875
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering atmospheric perspective and creating texture with brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting figures and animals within a landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the placement of the trees, figure, and sheep.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the greens of the foliage and the browns and grays of the sheep.
- step 04
Develop the details of the trees, using varying brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
- step 05
Add the figure, paying attention to the folds of the clothing and the subtle variations in skin tone.
- step 06
Refine the details of the sheep, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest their woolly coats.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · sap green · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue
Mix greens by combining sap green, yellow ochre, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use burnt umber and ivory black to create a range of browns and grays for the sheep and shadows.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·dry brushing
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Making the colors too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth.
- →Not varying the brushstrokes enough to create texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·view finder
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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