plate no. 2310

Doge Francesco Foscari’s Removal (The Two Foscari)

oil, canvasRomanticismhistory paintingfiguresarchitectureinteriorhistorical scenedogevenice

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in rendering complex figures in varied poses and capturing the nuances of light and shadow within an architectural space. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth and atmosphere using subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and figures with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to develop the value structure.
step 04
Start building up the details of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomy.
step 05
Work on the architectural elements, paying attention to perspective and detail.
step 06
Develop the textures of the fabrics and other materials.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · raw sienna

Achieve the various skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the gold fabric by layering yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and touches of white for highlights. Use ultramarine blue and black for the darker shadows.

techniques

·figure drawing
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering fabrics

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of figures.
→Flat, lifeless rendering of fabrics.
→Lack of depth and atmosphere.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 24x36
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, ivory black, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife