plate no. 9567
Sioux War Council
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a landscape and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering details with a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
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 teepees and the general arrangement of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic shapes of the sky and ground.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the teepees, using a warm, muted palette.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the teepees, such as the patterns and designs.
- step 05
Start painting the figures, focusing on capturing their general shapes and positions.
- step 06
Add details to the figures, such as clothing, headdresses, and facial features.
- step 07
Refine the details of the landscape, adding texture and variation to the ground and sky.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Use raw umber and white for the teepees, adding small amounts of burnt sienna for warmth. Mix yellow ochre with white and a touch of umber for the ground.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated
- →Failing to create a sense of depth
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for easier blending and layering. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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