plate no. 7926

Death of Dido

oil, canvasRococomythological paintingfiguresarchitecturecolumnsstatuefabricmythology

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex figure arrangements, rendering drapery, and creating atmospheric perspective with a limited color palette. It will also improve their understanding of classical composition and storytelling through art.

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 outlining the main figures, architecture, and key compositional elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, focusing on the sky and distant architecture.
step 03
Block in the main figures with basic shapes and values, paying attention to their poses and relationships.
step 04
Develop the drapery, using layers of color to create folds and highlights.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces and hands, capturing the expressions and gestures of the figures.
step 06
Add shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Work on the architectural details, such as the columns and statue, to add realism.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the overall atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the flesh tones by mixing burnt sienna, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use raw umber and ivory black to create shadows and depth. Mix yellow ochre with white for highlights on the fabrics and architecture.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition and values.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Inaccurate proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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