plate no. 7266

The Start of the Goodwood Gold Cup

oilRomanticismanimal paintinghorsesjockeystreesskylandscapefigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting realistic animal anatomy and rendering subtle gradations of color to create form. Students will also practice creating atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of the horses and figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the horses with thin washes of color, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomy.
step 03
Gradually build up the form of the horses with layers of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 04
Paint the background landscape, starting with the sky and then moving to the trees and hills, using lighter values and less detail for elements further away.
step 05
Add details to the jockeys' clothing and faces, paying attention to the folds and wrinkles in the fabric.
step 06
Refine the details of the horses' tack and equipment, such as the saddles and bridles.
step 07
Add the shadows cast by the horses and figures onto the ground.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and realistic painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix burnt umber and raw sienna with white to achieve the various shades of brown for the horses. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix greens for the foliage using blue, yellow, and brown.

techniques