plate no. 9829

The Old Shepherd

oilExpressionismportraitportraitshepherdlandscapetreesheephat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through layering and brushwork. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, landscape, and tree.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, including the sky, hills, and grass.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and shadows on the face and hands.
step 04
Paint the hat, scarf, and clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the background details, such as the sheep and distant hills.
step 07
Add the peacock feathers in the hat.
step 08
Apply final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · raw umber · cadmium red · titanium white · viridian

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix skin tones by combining raw umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use viridian and yellow ochre for the greens in the landscape. Create darker shades by adding ivory black.

techniques