plate no. 8458

Battle of Eylau, February 9, 1807

oil, canvasNeoclassicismhistory paintingbattlefigureshorsessnowskysmoke

advanced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with many figures, and in creating atmospheric perspective to convey depth. It also provides practice in rendering realistic figures and horses in dynamic poses.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of major elements.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the sky, snow-covered ground, and distant buildings using broad strokes.
step 03
Establish the main figures and horses in the foreground, focusing on their basic forms and proportions.
step 04
Start adding details to the figures, including clothing, faces, and weapons, gradually refining their shapes.
step 05
Work on the middle ground, adding the rows of soldiers and other figures, paying attention to perspective.
step 06
Develop the atmospheric perspective by using lighter and cooler colors for distant objects.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, focusing on the effects of light on the snow and figures.
step 08
Refine the details and make final adjustments to the composition, color, and value.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray and brown for the snow and figures. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the cool tones of the sky. Add small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to create the colors of the uniforms and flesh tones.

techniques