plate no. 9662

Merthyr Riots

oil, canvasRomanticismhistory paintingfiguresbuildingslandscapemilitaryskytrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and accurately depicting figures in a landscape setting. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and distance through careful color and value choices.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the buildings, the hill, the field, and the figures.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin wash of pale blue and white, blending for soft clouds.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the hill and field, using variations of green and brown.
step 04
Paint the buildings with light beige and gray tones, adding details like windows and roofs.
step 05
Add the tree in the center, using dark browns and greens for the foliage.
step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their proportions and clothing.
step 07
Add the rows of soldiers in the background, simplifying their forms and using red for their uniforms.
step 08
Refine details and add highlights to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · cadmium red · burnt sienna · sap green

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre, Prussian blue, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the sky color by diluting Prussian blue and white. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red for the red uniforms.

techniques

·atmospheric perspective
·blocking in
·scumbling
·layering
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 12x16
·Oil paints: yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, Prussian blue, cadmium red, burnt sienna, sap green
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brush (size 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife