plate no. 7747

Burning of About 80 Waldensians, Strasbourg, AD 1215

etchingBaroqueillustrationfiguresfiretreessmokecrowdlandscape

experienced study

Recreating this etching will help students develop skills in line work, cross-hatching, and creating depth through varying line density. It also provides practice in depicting figures in dynamic poses and suggesting textures with limited tonal range.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of major figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the image, such as the smoke and shadows, using dense cross-hatching.
step 03
Develop the middle tones by using lighter hatching and parallel lines.
step 04
Add details to the figures, paying attention to the folds of clothing and facial expressions.
step 05
Define the trees and other background elements with varying line weights and densities.
step 06
Refine the overall image by adding subtle details and adjusting the tonal range.
step 07
Use stippling to create texture in areas like the ground and smoke.
step 08
Add final details to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary · gray

Varying the density of black lines on a white surface creates the illusion of gray tones.

techniques

·cross-hatching
·stippling
·line weight variation
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Creating overly uniform line work, which can flatten the image.
→Failing to establish a clear tonal range, resulting in a muddy or undefined image.
→Neglecting the importance of negative space in defining forms.
→Overworking certain areas, leading to a loss of spontaneity and freshness.