plate no. 2525

Shepherd and Sheep at Vlaici

Nicolae Darascu, 1912

oilPost-Impressionismlandscapelandscapetreessheepwaterfigurehills

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and texture, as well as simplifying complex landscapes into manageable shapes and forms. Students will also practice capturing reflections in water.

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 trees, hill, water line, and figure.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light blue, and the water with a slightly darker, more turquoise hue.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the hill using broad strokes of orange, yellow, red, and green.
step 04
Paint the foreground grass with varying shades of green and yellow, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Add the tree trunks and branches, varying the thickness and direction of the lines.
step 06
Paint the sheep and figure using simplified shapes and tones.
step 07
Add reflections in the water, mirroring the colors and shapes of the landscape above.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · sap green · burnt sienna

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · titanium white

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Achieve the hill's varied colors by blending burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, and yellow ochre in different proportions. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques