plate no. 6616
The Flag of Truce
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, particularly rendering clothing and facial expressions, and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and the gate.
- step 02
Establish the dark background and the light source coming from the gate opening.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures' clothing and skin tones.
- step 04
Develop the details of the faces, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Add texture to the stone walls and floor using dry brush techniques.
- step 06
Refine the clothing folds and details, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Paint the crowd in the background with loose brushstrokes to suggest depth.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use glazes of diluted color to create depth and shadow.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·glazing
- ·dry brush
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking details too early
- →Incorrect proportions of figures
- →Failing to create a sense of depth
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a toned canvas to help establish the dark background. Consider using a medium to thin the oil paints for glazing.
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