plate no. 2116

General Washington at Christ Church, Easter Sunday, 1795

Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1908

oilRomanticismhistory paintingfigureschurchcarriagehorsestreeshistorical scene

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, rendering complex architectural forms, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in managing a complex composition with multiple focal points.

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 to establish the overall composition and placement of key elements like the church, figures, and carriage.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, focusing on the sky, trees, and church building.
step 03
Establish the basic values and colors of the figures, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 04
Add details to the carriage and horses, including the wheels, harnesses, and textures of the horses' coats.
step 05
Refine the details of the figures' clothing and faces, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and form.
step 06
Work on the foreground elements, including the children and the ground, adding texture and details.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · sap green · raw sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of other colors. Use glazes of thinned color to create depth and subtle color variations.

techniques