plate no. 4188
Napoleon Accepts the Surrender of Madrid, 4 December 1808
Antoine-Jean Gros, 1810
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, composition, and rendering of fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the sky and distant battlefield.
- step 03
Focus on the central figures, sketching their poses and proportions accurately.
- step 04
Start layering in the local colors of the figures' clothing and skin tones.
- step 05
Pay attention to the light source and begin adding highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 06
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, adding textures and patterns.
- step 07
Add the tent and other background elements, paying attention to perspective.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to create a cohesive and impactful painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · Prussian blue · raw sienna
Mix blacks and browns for shadows and muted tones. Use white to create highlights and lighter skin tones. Mix red and yellow for the orange uniforms.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·fabric rendering
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of figures
- →Overly saturated colors
- →Lack of depth and atmosphere
- →Ignoring the light source
- →Poor blending of skin tones
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·mahogany palette
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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