plate no. 6667

The British Bombardment of Copenhagen, Night Between 4th and 5th of September 1807

oilNeoclassicismhistory paintingcityscapebuildingsfirefiguresskyhistorical event

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex scenes with many figures. It will also teach how to create a sense of drama and movement through light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic composition and perspective of the buildings and figures.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the buildings and sky with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the highlights and shadows on the buildings and figures.
step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows and architectural features, using small brushes.
step 05
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their gestures and poses.
step 06
Create the effect of fire and smoke by layering warm and cool colors, and using soft blending techniques.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Glaze over the entire painting to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt umber and ivory black for the dark areas. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red for the fire. Mix ultramarine blue with burnt umber to create muted greys for the buildings.

techniques