plate no. 3739
Défilé Des Centurions (pour Salammbô)
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting crowds, creating atmospheric perspective, and rendering details in a muted color palette. It will also give practice in painting figures in historical costumes and armor.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the perspective of the buildings and the placement of the crowd.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes and colors of the buildings, sky, and figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Start adding details to the figures in the foreground, such as their armor, faces, and clothing.
- step 05
Gradually add details to the figures in the midground and background, using softer edges and less detail to create depth.
- step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and volume.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the flags, banners, and architectural details.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of other colors. Use glazes of transparent colors to create depth and atmosphere.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting bogged down in details too early
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated
- →Not creating enough depth in the composition
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·turpentine
- ·painting easel
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for both smooth blending and visible brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall value structure.
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