plate no. 3592
The Reduction of Alba Longa by Tullus Hostilius
Lo Scheggia, 1435
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and depicting complex scenes with many figures. It also encourages attention to detail and historical context.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
1
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic landscape and architectural elements, focusing on perspective.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and major divisions of the composition.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the city, hills, and foreground figures with diluted washes.
- step 04
Begin layering details in the architecture, using lighter tones for distant elements.
- step 05
Add details to the figures, starting with the larger groups and moving to the foreground.
- step 06
Refine the color palette, adjusting values to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to the figures and architecture.
- step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the painting and create a sense of age.
color palette
primary · ochre · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · red oxide · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth pigments with white and small amounts of blue or black. Use thin glazes of red oxide to create the pinkish hues of the city.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Getting lost in the details too early.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial washes.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic gesso
- ·ochre acrylic paint
- ·burnt umber acrylic paint
- ·raw sienna acrylic paint
- ·titanium white acrylic paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
Use high-quality acrylic paints for best results. Consider using a linen canvas for a more authentic look.
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