plate no. 1134
Germanicus Devant Les Restes Des Légions De Varus
Lionel Noel Royer, 1896
advanced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex scenes with many figures, creating atmospheric perspective, and using a limited palette to achieve a sense of unity.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
1
study guide
est. 40 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of major elements.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the large shapes of the landscape and figures.
- step 03
Establish the light source and begin to develop the value structure of the painting.
- step 04
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to anatomy and clothing.
- step 05
Add details to the landscape, including the trees, ground, and sky.
- step 06
Develop the foreground elements, including the skeletons and debris.
- step 07
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red · titanium white
secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre
Mix burnt umber and raw sienna for the earth tones. Use cadmium red to create the red cloaks and uniforms, and mix with burnt umber to create darker shades. Add white to create highlights and lighter tones.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
- ·compositional layering
common pitfalls
- →getting lost in the details too early
- →failing to establish a strong value structure
- →overworking the painting
- →inaccurate figure proportions
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 24x36
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a high-quality canvas and oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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