plate no. 5109
Battle of the Dogs
Azim Azimzade, 1938
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice figure drawing in a crowd setting and learn how to depict movement and tension through body language. It also provides an opportunity to explore color mixing to achieve a muted, historical palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the main figures and dogs.
- step 02
Block in the background elements (landscape, buildings) with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Start adding the crowd, using simplified shapes and colors to suggest individual figures.
- step 04
Focus on the two main figures and dogs in the foreground, refining their shapes and proportions.
- step 05
Begin adding details to the figures' clothing and faces, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 06
Develop the texture of the ground with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting, adjusting as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details, such as highlights and shadows, to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Mix raw umber and ivory black for the dark tones in the figures' clothing and hair. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the ground and landscape. Mix ultramarine blue with white to create the sky.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·painting medium
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
