plate no. 1698

George Washington after his appointment as commander in chief of the Continental Army

oilRomanticismhistory paintingfiguresinteriorhistorical eventclothingtablechairs

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, composition, and rendering fabrics and textures with subtle color variations. It will also improve their understanding of atmospheric perspective and how to create depth in a complex scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to facial features, clothing folds, and hands.
step 04
Add the details of the interior, including the tables, chairs, and background figures.
step 05
Develop the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the color palette, adding subtle variations and highlights.
step 07
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Crimson · Yellow Ochre · Titanium White

secondary · Burnt Umber · Sap Green · Payne's Gray

Mix various shades of blue and gray for the clothing and background. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create warm tones for the skin and furniture. Mix white with primary colors to create lighter tints.

techniques

·Figure drawing
·Color mixing
·Glazing
·Rendering fabrics
·Atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of figures
→Overly saturated colors
→Lack of depth and dimension
→Ignoring the value structure
→Getting lost in the details too early

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian blue, Crimson, Yellow Ochre, Titanium White, Burnt Umber, Sap Green, Payne's Gray)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags