plate no. 6877

The Exalted Ruler

Charles M. Russell, 1912

oilRomanticismanimal paintingelkmountainsskygrasslandwildlifesnow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the texture of natural elements like grass and snow. Focus on layering colors to create depth and realism in the landscape and animals.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition: horizon line, mountain range, and placement of the elk herd.
step 02
Establish the sky with blended washes of yellow, orange, and blue, creating a soft gradient.
step 03
Block in the distant mountains with cool blues and purples, paying attention to value variations for depth.
step 04
Define the foreground landscape with warm browns, greens, and touches of snow using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the main elk, focusing on its form and the way light hits its body, using a mix of browns, yellows, and blacks.
step 06
Add details to the elk's antlers and facial features, using smaller brushes for precision.
step 07
Paint the rest of the elk herd in the mid-ground, simplifying their forms and using muted colors to suggest distance.
step 08
Add final details to the foreground, such as individual blades of grass and small rocks, to enhance texture and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson · raw sienna · payne's gray

Achieve the warm tones of the elk by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium orange. Create the cool blues of the mountains by mixing ultramarine blue with titanium white and a touch of alizarin crimson. Muted greens can be achieved by mixing yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and burnt umber.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·color layering
·broken color

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, which can flatten the sense of depth.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can make the painting look unrealistic.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the foreground and background.
→Making the elk look too stiff or posed; strive for a natural, dynamic pose.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium orange, alizarin crimson)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·rags
·odorless mineral spirits

Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) to create a warmer base.

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