plate no. 0633

Alexander and Diogenes

oil, canvasRomanticismanimal paintingdogsanimalsinteriortoolsarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering animal anatomy and fur texture, as well as creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the dogs and the architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the background tones and values, working from dark to light.
step 03
Block in the main colors of each dog, focusing on capturing their individual characteristics.
step 04
Begin adding details to the dogs' fur, using varied brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 05
Refine the lighting and shadows, paying attention to how light interacts with the different surfaces.
step 06
Add details to the tools and other objects in the foreground.
step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of yellow ochre and cadmium red to add warmth to the browns. Introduce ultramarine blue to create cooler grays and shadows.

techniques