plate no. 7114

Cardinal Richelieu at the Siege of La Rochelle

oilAcademicismhistory paintingfiguresseashipsbattlepierhistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex scenes with multiple figures and objects in perspective, as well as capturing the atmospheric effects of light and water. Students will also learn to mix subtle color variations to create depth and realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition, focusing on the placement of figures, the pier, and the ships in the background.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the sky and sea, using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the figures and the pier structures, paying attention to the light source and shadows.
step 04
Start building up the details of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and facial features.
step 05
Add details to the ships and the battle scene in the background, using smaller brushes and finer strokes.
step 06
Refine the reflections on the wet pier surface, using thin glazes of paint.
step 07
Add highlights to the figures and the pier to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and realistic effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · viridian

Mix various shades of gray and blue for the sky and sea by combining ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and titanium white. Achieve the red of the cardinal's robes by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt umber for darker shades and titanium white for highlights.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·figure drawing
·rendering reflections

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall harmony of the painting.
→Not accurately rendering the reflections on the wet pier.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ivory black, viridian)
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags