plate no. 3526

The Refugees of Parga

oil, canvasRomanticismhistory paintingfigurescityscapeseaskymountainsrefugees

experienced study

Recreating this painting will allow students to practice complex figure drawing, atmospheric perspective, and rendering nuanced skin tones. It also provides an opportunity to study the use of light and shadow to create drama and emotion.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures and the cityscape.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, focusing on the atmospheric perspective of the mountains and sky.
step 03
Establish the basic values and colors of the cityscape, paying attention to the details of the buildings.
step 04
Begin to define the figures in the foreground, starting with the central group and working outwards.
step 05
Develop the details of the figures, including clothing, faces, and hands, using a variety of brushstrokes and color mixing techniques.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the figures and the landscape.
step 07
Refine the details of the sea and the boats, using short, choppy brushstrokes to create the illusion of movement.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing raw sienna, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small additions of cadmium red for warmth. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue to the background colors.

techniques

·figure drawing
·atmospheric perspective
·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in figure drawing.
→Overly saturated colors that detract from the somber mood.
→Lack of depth and dimension due to insufficient value contrast.
→Neglecting the details of the cityscape and the sea.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags