plate no. 0259
The Islander
Jamie Wyeth, 1976
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic textures, particularly the wool, and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth in the landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the sheep, landscape, and island.
- step 02
Block in the sky and water with diluted washes, establishing the overall tone.
- step 03
Establish the main values on the sheep, focusing on light and shadow.
- step 04
Begin adding texture to the sheep's wool using small, broken brushstrokes.
- step 05
Develop the landscape, paying attention to the receding planes and atmospheric perspective.
- step 06
Refine the details on the sheep's head and horns.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the water and island.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to values and details to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna
Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the sheep's wool, varying the ratio for different values. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky and water, adding a touch of burnt umber to darken the water.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the wool texture, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Failing to create sufficient depth in the landscape.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the sky and water.
- →Getting the proportions of the sheep wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) can be helpful.
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