plate no. 9726

Palace Guard with Two Leopards

oilOrientalismgenre paintingmanleopardsarchitecturewaterskyturban

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic animal anatomy and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of different materials, such as fabric and animal fur.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, leopards, and architecture.
step 02
Establish the background sky and water with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and leopards, paying attention to proportions and anatomy.
step 04
Begin adding details to the architecture, including the arches and dome.
step 05
Develop the skin tones of the figure, using layers of color to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Paint the leopard's fur, focusing on the pattern of spots and the texture of the coat.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · raw umber · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and yellow for the leopard's fur. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Mix red and brown for the figure's clothing.

techniques