plate no. 8699

Competition on the Capitoline Hill

oilBaroquecityscapearchitecturestairsfigurescityscapestatuessky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, rendering architectural details, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and value changes. It also offers practice in painting figures in various poses and sizes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic perspective and composition, focusing on the converging lines of the buildings and stairs.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the buildings, stairs, and figures using diluted washes of color.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the values, focusing on the shadows and highlights on the architecture.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, columns, and statues, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 05
Paint the figures, starting with the larger ones in the foreground and gradually working towards the smaller ones in the background.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, such as clothing, faces, and gestures.
step 07
Add the tree and the sky, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective and the subtle color variations.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values, colors, and details to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing raw umber and white, and create variations by adding small amounts of burnt sienna, yellow ochre, or black. Use thin glazes to build up depth and luminosity.

techniques

·linear perspective
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·rendering architectural details
·figure painting

common pitfalls

→Getting the perspective wrong can ruin the entire painting, so take your time and double-check your lines.
→Overworking the details can make the painting look stiff and unnatural, so try to maintain a loose and painterly approach.
→Failing to create a sense of depth can make the painting look flat, so pay attention to the atmospheric perspective and value changes.
→Ignoring the light source can make the painting look unrealistic, so establish the light source early on and stick to it.