plate no. 1688

Burning of 224 Waldensians, Toulon, AD 1243

etchingBaroqueillustrationfiguresfiresmokebuildinglandscapeexecution

experienced study

Recreating this etching will develop skills in line work, shading techniques, and creating depth through varying line thickness and density. Students will also learn to depict complex scenes with many figures and elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light pencil sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of major elements like the figures, fire, and buildings.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and basic perspective.
step 03
Start inking the darkest areas, such as the smoke and shadows, using closely spaced lines.
step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones by varying the spacing and thickness of the lines.
step 05
Use cross-hatching to create darker values and add texture.
step 06
Pay attention to the direction of the lines to convey form and volume.
step 07
Add finer details, such as facial features and clothing folds.
step 08
Erase any remaining pencil lines and refine the linework.