plate no. 2052

The Navajo

Maynard Dixon, 1914

oilImpressionismgenre paintinghorsefigurelandscapeskyplainsnative american

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in painting figures and animals in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the horse and rider.
step 02
Block in the sky with light, muted colors, creating a sense of atmosphere.
step 03
Establish the horizon line and the distant landscape with soft, blended tones.
step 04
Lay in the base colors for the foreground, using a mix of browns, purples, and oranges.
step 05
Begin to define the horse and rider, paying attention to their forms and proportions.
step 06
Add details to the foreground vegetation, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows on the horse and rider to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and details to the sky and landscape, ensuring a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange · purple

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Create the atmospheric perspective by lightening and desaturating colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques