plate no. 9519

Soldiers at Cany

William Orpen, 1900

oilPost-Impressionismgenre paintingsoldierslandscapevillagetreesskypath

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice atmospheric perspective and simplified figure painting. Students can also explore color mixing to create a harmonious and muted palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the landscape with thin washes of color, establishing the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Add the sky and clouds, blending the colors softly to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 04
Paint the distant village, using muted colors and soft edges to suggest distance.
step 05
Develop the foreground, adding details to the path, grass, and trees.
step 06
Paint the soldiers, simplifying their forms and focusing on their overall shape and color.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create visual interest.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · burnt sienna · Prussian blue

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red light · sap green

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and Prussian blue. Use white to lighten values and create atmospheric haze. Muted tones are achieved by mixing complementary colors.

techniques