plate no. 3935

Ruins of the Forum, Rome

oil, canvasRocococityscaperuinsarchitecturefigurescityscapeskycolumns

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering architectural details with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in painting figures in a landscape setting.

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 ruins, buildings, and figures.
step 02
Establish the sky with a light blue base and add soft, diffused clouds.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the buildings and ruins using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Gradually build up the details of the architecture, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add the figures, using small brushstrokes to suggest their forms and clothing.
step 06
Refine the foreground with details of grass, shadows, and small rocks.
step 07
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining raw umber, white, and small amounts of blue or yellow ochre. Use thin washes of burnt sienna to create warm tones in the buildings and ruins.

techniques