plate no. 5995

The Dismissal of Cardinal Wolsey

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfigureslandscapebuildingtreeshistoricalarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures with accurate proportions and clothing details, as well as creating atmospheric perspective in a complex landscape.

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 and proportions of the figures and the architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main color areas, starting with the background and working towards the foreground.
step 04
Begin refining the figures, paying close attention to the details of their clothing and facial features.
step 05
Develop the landscape, adding details to the trees, foliage, and building.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · raw sienna

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or black. Use glazes of transparent colors to create depth and luminosity.

techniques