plate no. 8459

The Soldier's Return

Marcus Stone, 1900

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfiguregardenarchitectureplantstreesclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures and drapery, as well as creating depth and atmosphere in a landscape setting. Students will also learn about color mixing and value control to create a sense of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures, sundial, and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin blocking in the local colors of the figures, clothing, and foliage.
step 04
Develop the details of the faces, hands, and other focal points.
step 05
Refine the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 07
Pay attention to the edges of objects, softening them where appropriate to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · sap green · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of green for the foliage by combining yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and a touch of burnt umber. Create skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red light, and yellow ochre, with small amounts of burnt umber for shadows.

techniques