plate no. 0711
Shepherd of the Pyrenees
Rosa Bonheur, 1888
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic animal forms and creating atmospheric perspective in a landscape. It also provides practice in depicting subtle variations in light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the shepherd, sheep, and mountains.
- step 02
Establish the sky and mountain background with broad, blended strokes.
- step 03
Block in the general shapes and values of the sheep, paying attention to their varying sizes and positions.
- step 04
Add details to the shepherd's figure, including clothing and facial features.
- step 05
Develop the foreground with grass, rocks, and other vegetation.
- step 06
Refine the details of the sheep's wool, using short, broken strokes to create texture.
- step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism of the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · sap green
Mix various shades of ochre and umber with white to create the colors of the sheep's wool. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix greens with ochre, blue, and umber for the grass.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Making the sheep look too uniform and lacking individual character.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth in the landscape.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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