plate no. 2846

The Third of May 1808 (Execution of the Defenders of Madrid)

oil, canvasRomanticismhistory paintingfiguresexecutionnightbuildingsoldiersviolence

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand dramatic lighting and how to convey emotion through figure poses and facial expressions. Students will also learn how to create depth using value and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures, the hill, and the building in the background.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of blues, browns, and blacks, leaving space for the lighter areas.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the figures with their basic colors, focusing on the value relationships.
step 04
Develop the lighting around the lantern, paying close attention to how the light falls on the figures.
step 05
Add details to the faces and clothing, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the blood and other details on the ground, using reds and browns.
step 07
Refine the background details, softening the edges of the building and the hill.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · prussian blue · burnt sienna

Mix blacks and browns with small amounts of blue to create the dark tones. Use yellow ochre and white to create the highlights on the figures. Mix red and brown for the blood.

techniques