plate no. 6764

Pyramid of Fire

Charles E. Burchfield, 1929

oilNew Realismlandscapefirebuildingsmoketreesfiguressky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting dynamic scenes and understanding the interplay of light and shadow in a dramatic setting. Students will also learn to create the illusion of depth and atmosphere using color and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and figures, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the sky and background.
step 03
Add the darker values to define the shapes of the buildings and trees.
step 04
Begin layering the colors of the fire, starting with the brightest yellows and oranges and adding darker reds and browns.
step 05
Add the smoke and ash, using light grays and browns.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, trees, and figures.
step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · cadmium yellow

Mix browns and grays by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and payne's gray. Create the fire colors by mixing cadmium red, cadmium yellow, and titanium white in varying proportions.

techniques