plate no. 7337

Clelia Crossing the Tiber

oil, canvasClassicismhistory paintingfigureshorsewaterlandscapeclassicalriver

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in mixing subtle skin tones and depicting reflections in water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and horse.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the background elements, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Begin refining the figures, adding details to the faces, drapery, and anatomy.
step 05
Work on the horse, focusing on its musculature and coat texture.
step 06
Add the reflections in the water, using broken brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 07
Refine the details and highlights, paying attention to the light source.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · ivory black

Mix skin tones using titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber and ultramarine blue. Create greens by mixing yellow ochre and viridian green. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white and blue to distant colors.

techniques