plate no. 2759

A Refugee in a Church

oilRomanticismgenre paintingchurchrefugeesfiguresinteriorsoldiersaltar

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with many figures, as well as understanding light and shadow to create depth and drama. It also requires careful attention to detail in depicting textures and patterns.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Start defining the figures, paying attention to their anatomy and clothing.
step 05
Add details to the background, including the church interior and altar.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, including their faces and expressions.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Use burnt umber and ivory black to create dark shadows. Mix raw sienna and titanium white for highlights. Add small amounts of cadmium red or yellow ochre to warm up the browns.

techniques