plate no. 2604

Sheep on Cliffs

oilImpressionismlandscapecliffssheepseaskygrasspath

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and color mixing to create realistic landscapes. It also provides practice in depicting animal forms in a natural setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the cliffs, sea, and path.
step 02
Block in the sky and sea with broad strokes, establishing the overall color and value.
step 03
Add the basic shapes of the cliffs and land, using a mix of browns, greens, and yellows.
step 04
Define the path with a lighter color, suggesting its winding form.
step 05
Paint the sheep as simple shapes, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 06
Add details to the cliffs, including shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 07
Refine the colors and textures of the grass and vegetation.
step 08
Add final details to the sheep, such as wool texture and subtle shading.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the darker areas of the cliffs and sea. Use yellow ochre and white for the path. Mix cadmium yellow and alizarin crimson for the flowers.

techniques