plate no. 6129

Sturrall. Donegal. Ireland

Rockwell Kent, 1927

oilAmerican Realismlandscapelandscapeoceancliffscloudssheepsunset

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blocking in large shapes, understanding atmospheric perspective, and creating the illusion of light reflecting on water. It also provides practice in rendering soft, rounded forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line and the placement of the major landforms and clouds.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the ocean, then the land.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the cliffs and foreground, paying attention to the shapes created by the shadows.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes of the clouds, blending the edges to create a soft, diffused effect.
step 05
Add the highlights on the water to simulate the reflection of the sun.
step 06
Paint the sheep, focusing on its form and the way the light falls on it.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as the grass and rocks.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of blue and yellow with white to create the sky and ocean. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark cliffs. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to warm up the colors.

techniques