plate no. 9167

Part of a Series Chronicling the Uniforms of Napoleon's Grande Armée

oilNeoclassicismgenre paintinghorsesoldieruniformlandscapeskyfigures

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex forms like horses and figures in motion, as well as understanding color mixing for realistic skin tones and fabrics. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the horse, rider, and background landscape.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the horse and rider using a diluted wash.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the horse, building up the tones and details of the musculature.
step 04
Paint the rider's uniform, paying close attention to the details of the fabric and armor.
step 05
Add the background elements, using lighter washes for distant figures to create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the horse's head, including the eyes, ears, and bridle.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine for the horse's coat. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for highlights. Mix ultramarine with white for the sky and distant figures.

techniques