plate no. 0447
The Sportsman Resting
George Morland, 1790
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures in a landscape and understanding atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations to depict light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the figure, dogs, tree, and landscape.
- step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, distant landscape, and foreground.
- step 03
Block in the main values of the figure, paying attention to the light source.
- step 04
Add details to the tree and foliage, using varying shades of green and brown.
- step 05
Refine the figure's features and clothing, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Paint the dogs, focusing on their fur texture and anatomy.
- step 07
Add final details to the landscape, such as grass and small plants.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust values.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · ivory black
Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve skin tones by blending cadmium red, yellow ochre, and titanium white, adjusting the ratios for highlights and shadows.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the landscape.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) to establish a warm undertone.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Louis XV, King of France
Charles-Andre van Loo (Carle van Loo)
William James
Joshua Reynolds
Wooded Landscape with Gypsies, Evening
George Lambert
Head of a Scholar
Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo
Gentleman and Wife
William Williams
Portrait of Antoine Watteau
Rosalba Carriera
Portrait of Henriette of France, daughter of Louis XV
Jean-Étienne Liotard
Mr. John Williams
Benjamin West