plate no. 0509

Arches in ruins with figures

oil, canvasRealismcityscaperuinsarchitecturefigurelandscapebuildingvegetation

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures of old brick and stone, as well as capturing the atmospheric perspective and subtle value changes in a monochromatic palette. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the ruins, building, and figures, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of paint.
step 03
Begin to build up the texture of the brick and stone using short, broken brushstrokes and varying the value of the paint.
step 04
Add details to the figures, focusing on capturing their form and gesture with simple shapes and values.
step 05
Refine the foliage and vegetation, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and texture.
step 06
Adjust the overall value contrast and add highlights to create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details and refine edges to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve subtle value variations by gradually mixing black and white. Use small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt sienna to warm up the grays and create a sense of depth.

techniques