plate no. 8549

The Triumph of Aemilius Paulus

oilNeoclassicismhistory paintingfiguresarchitecturecityscapechariotprocessionmountains

advanced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with many figures, understanding atmospheric perspective, and rendering architectural details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main architectural elements and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the buildings, mountains, and sky with diluted washes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic composition of the crowd, focusing on the overall flow and placement of figures.
step 04
Start adding details to the architecture, paying attention to perspective and light/shadow.
step 05
Begin refining the figures, working from the background to the foreground, gradually increasing detail.
step 06
Focus on the chariot and the central figures, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add final details, such as textures, highlights, and subtle color variations.
step 08
Glaze over the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of grey and brown by combining burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Use ochre and cadmium red for the figures' clothing and skin tones. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening and desaturating colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques