plate no. 7972
Soldier of the Republic at Rest with his dog
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating atmospheric perspective and rendering figures within a landscape. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of foliage and clothing with loose brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the soldier, dog, and tree.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, creating a sense of depth.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the soldier and dog, paying attention to proportions.
- step 04
Begin adding details to the soldier's uniform and facial features.
- step 05
Refine the dog's form and add details to its fur.
- step 06
Develop the foliage around the tree, using a variety of greens and browns.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
- step 08
Refine the details and add finishing touches.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · sap green
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using white to create tints. Use thin washes of color to build up layers and create depth.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·flat brush (#8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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