plate no. 1014
The Embankment, London
John O'Connor, 1874
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex architectural details with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a landscape setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the main compositional elements: the buildings, the river, and the foreground terrace.
- step 02
Establish the atmospheric perspective by laying in a thin wash of muted colors for the distant buildings and sky.
- step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the buildings and the river, focusing on accurate proportions and placement.
- step 04
Develop the architectural details of the buildings, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Add the figures and other details in the foreground, such as the lion statue and the marching soldiers.
- step 06
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Achieve the muted atmospheric colors by mixing raw umber, titanium white, and small amounts of yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Use burnt sienna and ivory black for darker tones and shadows.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·rendering architectural details
- ·figure painting
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the buildings wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the sense of atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for detailed brushwork. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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