plate no. 2766

The Pantheon in Rome, drawing by Leitch, engraving by W.B. Cooke

oilRomanticismcityscapePantheonRomecityscapefountainobeliskfigures

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in linear perspective, rendering architectural details, and creating a sense of depth through value variations. Students will also learn to depict figures in a crowd and create a focal point.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic shapes and perspective of the Pantheon, obelisk, and surrounding buildings.
step 02
Focus on the major architectural elements first, such as the columns, dome, and pediment.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to define the shadows and highlights on the buildings and fountain.
step 04
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the carvings, textures, and windows.
step 05
Sketch in the figures, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, adding clothing, faces, and gestures.
step 07
Add the sky and any other background elements.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to the values and details.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary · gray

Varying shades of gray are achieved by mixing black and white in different proportions.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·stippling
·linear perspective
·value shading

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective, leading to a distorted representation of the buildings.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a cluttered and confusing image.
→Inconsistent values, making it difficult to read the forms and create a sense of depth.
→Ignoring the light source, leading to flat and unconvincing shadows.