plate no. 7234

Sheep on a slope

oilImpressionismanimal paintingtreessheeplandscapehillsfoliagefigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the sheep and the overall landscape.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the trees, hills, and sheep with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the values and create depth in the landscape.
step 04
Add details to the sheep, paying attention to their form and the way light falls on them.
step 05
Refine the foliage and trees, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the scene.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and make any necessary corrections.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · sap green · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and sap green with small amounts of ultramarine blue to adjust the hue. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Browns are achieved by mixing raw umber and burnt sienna.

techniques