plate no. 6325

Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts

oilAcademicismmythological paintingTrojan Horsecity wallssoldiersskyarchitecturemythology

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, rendering architectural details, and depicting figures in a complex scene. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the city walls and the placement of the Trojan Horse.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the sky, walls, horse, and ground with diluted washes of color.
step 03
Start adding details to the city walls, paying attention to the light and shadow to create depth.
step 04
Begin rendering the Trojan Horse, focusing on its form and the details of its construction.
step 05
Add the figures of the soldiers, paying attention to their poses and interactions.
step 06
Refine the details of the ground and add any remaining elements, such as the ropes and scaffolding.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

Mix ochre with white for the walls, and ultramarine with white for the sky. Use burnt umber and ochre for the horse, and add red for the soldiers' clothing.

techniques