plate no. 5304
The Headquarters of the Piedmontese in the Crimea
Gerolamo Induno, 1855
some experience helpful
This painting helps develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering textures of snow and aged buildings. Students can practice creating depth through value and color variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of buildings and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the sky and distant hill with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the buildings and the road, using a limited palette of browns and whites.
- step 04
Add details to the buildings, such as windows, doors, and roof lines.
- step 05
Paint the figures, starting with the larger groups and then adding details to the individual figures.
- step 06
Create the snow texture using dry brush techniques and varying shades of white and gray.
- step 07
Add the flag and other details, such as the road and the bridge.
- step 08
Refine the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna
secondary · payne's gray · cadmium red · sap green
Mix various shades of white with raw umber and burnt sienna to create the tones for the buildings and snow. Use Payne's gray to darken shadows and create atmospheric perspective.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the background, which can flatten the image.
- →Using too much pure white, which can make the snow look unnatural.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth through value and color variations.
- →Getting the perspective wrong on the buildings.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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