plate no. 2851

Reunited

oilAcademicismallegorical paintingfigureseagleskyswordlandscapeallegory

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, drapery, and creating atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn how to mix subtle skin tones and create a sense of depth through layering and glazing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the eagle.
step 02
Establish the background sky and landscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to proportions and anatomy.
step 04
Begin layering in the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 05
Develop the details of the faces, using subtle color variations to create form.
step 06
Paint the eagle, paying attention to the texture of the feathers.
step 07
Add the sword and other details, such as the shield and the telescope.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the dark tones of the eagle by mixing black, umber, and a touch of blue. Create atmospheric perspective by adding white to the background colors.

techniques

·figure drawing
·drapery
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
→Using colors that are too saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, ivory black, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags