plate no. 3013

Italian army soldiers involved in hand-to-hand fighting with Imperial Austro-Hungarian troops in Trentino, North Italy

Achille Beltrame, 1918

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationsoldiersbattlemountainscannonsweaponsfigures

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting dynamic figures in action and creating a sense of depth and chaos in a complex scene. Students will also learn to use color to convey mood and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures, cannons, and mountain backdrop.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and general perspective.
step 03
Block in the main color masses: the green uniforms, the gray/brown earth, and the white/blue mountains.
step 04
Start adding details to the figures, focusing on their poses and expressions.
step 05
Develop the cannons and other equipment, paying attention to their form and texture.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the mountains and sky.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Finish with small details like weapons, straps, and facial features.

color palette

primary · olive green · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · sky blue · raw sienna · gray

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows with umber for muted tones. Achieve the mountain colors by mixing white with small amounts of blue and brown.

techniques