plate no. 6909

The Boulder

Charles Courtney Curran, 1905

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigureslandscapecloudsrockskyclothing

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in rendering soft, diffused light and creating atmospheric perspective. Students can develop skills in figure painting and capturing the subtle nuances of fabric and skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the boulder.
step 02
Establish the background sky and cloud formations with broad, soft strokes.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the boulder, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin to define the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details.
step 05
Refine the clothing folds and drapery, using subtle color variations to create depth.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the figures' faces and hands.
step 07
Blend the edges of the figures and the boulder to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall color balance.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the soft, muted tones by mixing white with small amounts of other colors. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create grays for the sky and shadows.

techniques