plate no. 6944
Sheep with Laptops
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in rendering realistic textures like wool and grass, as well as creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. Students can also learn to depict simple forms and cast shadows to ground the objects in the scene.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the placement of the sheep, and the computers/TV.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the sky, the grass, and the general shapes of the sheep.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the grass, using slightly darker and lighter greens to create texture and form.
- step 04
Start building up the texture of the sheep's wool with short, broken brushstrokes, using a range of off-white and cream colors.
- step 05
Paint the computers and TV, paying attention to the highlights and shadows to give them a three-dimensional appearance.
- step 06
Add details to the sheep's faces, including their eyes, noses, and ears.
- step 07
Refine the shadows and highlights throughout the painting to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final details, such as the antenna on the TV and any stray blades of grass.
color palette
primary · sap green · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt umber · payne's gray · cadmium yellow
Mix different shades of green by combining sap green, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use burnt umber and payne's gray to create shadows and depth.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
- →Making the grass too uniform and lacking texture.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the light and shadow areas.
- →Failing to accurately depict the proportions of the sheep and computers.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Using a slightly textured canvas can help to create a more realistic wool texture. Acrylic paints are recommended for their fast drying time.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
