plate no. 8677

Weighing the Fleece

George Washington Lambert, 1921

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingfiguressheepwoolbarninteriorclothing

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Start building up the forms with thicker paint, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Pay close attention to the details of the figures' clothing and facial features.
step 05
Use broken brushstrokes and impasto to create the texture of the wool.
step 06
Refine the background and add details to the barn interior.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve the various browns and tans by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and white in different proportions. Use small amounts of alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue to create subtle variations in the shadows.

techniques

·broken brushstrokes
·scumbling
·glazing
·dry brushing
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions and anatomy of the figures.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them effectively.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form and depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette knife
·rags