plate no. 2334

The Great Spring Tide of 1858

oilSurrealismanimal paintingsheepwavewatergrassskyanimals

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in rendering realistic textures, particularly the wool of the sheep and the turbulent water. Students will also learn to create depth through atmospheric perspective and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the horizon line, the wave's general shape, and the placement of the sheep.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light, muted grey, blending smoothly.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the wave with a dark blue-grey, paying attention to the overall form.
step 04
Begin building up the wave's texture with short, broken brushstrokes of white and light blue, focusing on highlights and foam.
step 05
Paint the grass with varying shades of green, using short strokes to suggest texture.
step 06
Block in the sheep's bodies with a light beige or off-white, adding shadows to define their forms.
step 07
Add details to the sheep, such as their faces, ears, and wool texture, using small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 08
Refine the wave's details, adding highlights and adjusting values to create a sense of depth and movement.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green

Mix various shades of grey and blue-grey for the wave by combining white, blue, and a touch of umber. Use yellow ochre and blue to create natural greens.

techniques