plate no. 1752

The Tomb of Achilles

Adolf Hirémy-Hirschl, 1910

oilSymbolismmythological paintingwaterrocksfigureswavesmythologynudes

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex water movement and capturing the nuances of human anatomy in dynamic poses. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and depicting varied textures of rocks and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: rocks, figures, and the overall flow of the water.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the rocks, water, and figures using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up the values, focusing on the areas of light and shadow on the rocks and figures.
step 04
Begin defining the forms of the figures, paying attention to anatomical accuracy and the way light interacts with their skin.
step 05
Add details to the water, capturing the movement and texture of the waves and splashes.
step 06
Refine the details of the rocks, adding texture and variations in color.
step 07
Add highlights and subtle color variations to the figures to enhance their form and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that all elements work together harmoniously.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · viridian

Achieve the water's color by mixing ultramarine blue and white, with touches of viridian for depth. Skin tones can be created by blending cadmium red, yellow ochre, and white, with burnt umber for shadows.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·glazing
·scumbling
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Inaccurately rendering the anatomy of the figures.
→Not capturing the dynamic movement of the water.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, viridian)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags