plate no. 6552

Guarded by Rough English Soldiers

Howard Pyle, 1904

oilRomanticismillustrationfiguresinteriorwallportraitsoldiersclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a dimly lit environment and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and the overall proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the large shapes and value relationships.
step 03
Begin refining the details of the figures, starting with the faces and hands.
step 04
Develop the background, using thin layers of paint to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 06
Pay close attention to the textures of the clothing and other objects.
step 07
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using thin glazes of transparent colors. Use white sparingly to maintain the overall dark mood.

techniques