plate no. 6236
Episode of the conquest of Pavia in 1359
Federico Faruffini, 1860
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to create depth and atmosphere using value and how to suggest detail in a crowd scene with loose brushwork. It will also help them learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of the main figures and architectural elements.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes of the figures and building with thin washes of neutral tones.
- step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a strong value structure.
- step 04
Develop the middle ground figures, gradually adding more detail and definition.
- step 05
Focus on the focal point, refining the details and adding highlights.
- step 06
Use broken brushstrokes to suggest the crowd and create a sense of movement.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend tones to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber
Vary the tones by mixing black and white with small amounts of umber or ochre to create warm and cool grays.
techniques
- ·grisaille
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Creating a flat, lifeless image by not establishing a strong value structure.
- →Making all the figures equally detailed, which will flatten the perspective.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brush (size 8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture.
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