plate no. 1303

Burning of Clement the Scotchman, AD 756

etchingBaroqueillustrationfirefiguresbuildingskycrowdexecution

experienced study

Recreating this etching helps students understand line weight variation to create depth and form, and how to build up tone through hatching and cross-hatching. It also teaches how to depict complex scenes with many figures and details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the main figures and the building.
step 02
Begin adding details to the figures in the foreground, using light lines to define their shapes.
step 03
Start building up tone using hatching, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
step 04
Add cross-hatching in darker areas to create deeper shadows and more contrast.
step 05
Work on the background elements, such as the building and the sky, using lighter lines and less detail.
step 06
Focus on the fire, using a combination of short, curved lines and longer, flowing lines to create a sense of movement.
step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches, such as highlights and shadows.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary · gray

Vary the intensity of the black ink with water to create different shades of gray.

techniques

·Hatching
·Cross-hatching
·Line weight variation
·Stippling
·Dry brush

common pitfalls

→Using lines that are too uniform in weight and direction.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall composition.
→Not paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
→Creating lines that are too dark or too light, resulting in a lack of contrast.