plate no. 8275

Self-Portrait on a Horse

oilImpressionismself-portraithorsefigurelandscapeskycowboyhat

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice painting a realistic horse and figure in a landscape, while also learning how to capture light and shadow to create depth and form. Students can learn to mix realistic skin tones and create the illusion of texture in the horse's coat and the surrounding landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the horse, rider, and landscape.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the sky and the large areas of the landscape.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and details of the horse and rider, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the horse, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Add details to the rider's clothing and gear, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Refine the landscape, adding details to the rocks and vegetation.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting as needed to achieve a cohesive and realistic result.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix various shades of white by adding small amounts of yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and burnt umber. Use burnt umber and ultramarine to create darker tones for shadows. Mix cadmium red light with white to create the skin tones.

techniques