plate no. 2147

The goatherder's siesta

Carlo Ademollo, 1900

oil, canvasRomanticismgenre paintingfigureanimalslandscapetreesskygrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures in a landscape and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It will also give practice in painting animal fur and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, animals, and tree.
step 02
Establish the background with a light blue sky and distant hills, using thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the tree, animals, and figure with simplified color masses.
step 04
Develop the details of the figure's clothing and facial features, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Add texture to the dog's fur and the sheep's wool using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the foliage and grass, varying the greens and browns to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques