plate no. 5781

1814. Campagne de France (Napoleon and his staff returning from Soissons after the Battle of Laon)

oil, woodAcademicismhistory paintinghorsesfiguressoldiersskylandscapehistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures and horses in perspective, as well as creating atmospheric perspective using subtle value and color shifts. It also provides practice in rendering details with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures and horses.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values of the sky, ground, and figures using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background figures and landscape, focusing on atmospheric perspective by gradually softening details and lightening values.
step 04
Refine the shapes and details of the horses and riders in the foreground, paying attention to anatomy and proportions.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Work on the details of the faces and uniforms, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships to create a sense of unity and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray for the sky and figures by combining ivory black and titanium white. Use raw umber and burnt sienna for the horses and ground, adjusting the values with white and black. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to the grays for a cooler tone.

techniques