plate no. 8920
Allegory on the declaration of war before Constantinople
Hans von Aachen, 1604
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, complex composition, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering drapery and subtle skin tones.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures and the cityscape.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the sky, clouds, and distant mountains.
- step 03
Roughly sketch in the figures, paying attention to proportions and gestures.
- step 04
Begin layering in the local colors of the figures' clothing and skin tones.
- step 05
Develop the details of the cityscape, focusing on creating depth and perspective.
- step 06
Refine the figures, adding highlights, shadows, and details to create form and volume.
- step 07
Add final details such as the sword, dog, and other small elements.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · red ochre · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing red ochre, raw umber, and titanium white. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue to distant colors.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·drapery rendering
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of figures
- →Flat or lifeless skin tones
- →Lack of depth in the cityscape
- →Overworking details too early
- →Ignoring the overall composition
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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