plate no. 2167

Feast of trumpets I

oilRealismgenre paintingfiguresboatswaterbuildingstreessky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex scenes with many figures. Students will also learn to mix subtle earth tones and capture the effects of light on water.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the buildings, water, and figures.
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 of the buildings, boats, and figures, using simplified forms.
step 04
Begin layering in more detail, focusing on the textures of the buildings and the reflections in the water.
step 05
Mix and apply the subtle color variations in the sky and water, using soft blending techniques.
step 06
Add details to the figures, paying attention to their poses and clothing.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details, such as the rigging on the boats and the reflections in the water.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or black. Create the warm glow of the sky by blending yellow ochre and white with a touch of cadmium yellow.

techniques