plate no. 5995

The Triumph of Alexander the Great

oilSymbolismhistory paintingarchitecturemountainsfiguresprocessionthronelandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering, glazing, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in depicting complex architectural details and figures in a grand, historical setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the architecture, mountains, and figures.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker areas of the rocks and foreground, using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 04
Start building up the architecture with light grays and whites, paying attention to the details.
step 05
Add the figures in the procession, using small brushstrokes and muted colors.
step 06
Glaze over the painting with thin layers of color to create depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights to the architecture and figures to create a sense of light and shadow.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and using white to create variations in value. Use glazes of ultramarine blue to create atmospheric perspective in the distant mountains.

techniques