plate no. 6855

In the Grotta Vecchia of Posillipo

oil, canvasRomanticisminteriorfiguresarchitecturelightcarriageinteriorstreet

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to create a sense of depth using value and color. It will also develop skills in painting figures in shadow and suggesting details rather than rendering them precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the main figures, the archway, and the carriage.
step 02
Establish the overall dark background using a mix of dark browns and blues.
step 03
Block in the areas of light with a warm yellow-orange, paying attention to the light source from the lamps and the archway.
step 04
Begin to define the shapes of the figures, using darker values to create silhouettes.
step 05
Add subtle details to the figures and architecture, focusing on the areas of light.
step 06
Soften the edges of the figures in the distance to create a sense of atmospheric perspective.
step 07
Add highlights to the lamps and the areas of light to create a sense of drama.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve the dark background by mixing ivory black, raw umber, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Create the warm light by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and a small amount of white.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·chiaroscuro
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background figures.
→Making the light too bright and losing the sense of darkness.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·ivory black oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)

optional

·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·varnish

Use a canvas with a smooth surface to allow for smooth blending and glazing. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber before starting to paint.

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