plate no. 1928
The Trojan horse
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, particularly atmospheric perspective, and in rendering complex architectural forms and figures in a consistent light source. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and scale within a large composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and perspective lines.
- step 02
Block in the major shapes: the sky, the horse, the city walls, and the ground.
- step 03
Establish the basic value structure, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Refine the shapes and details of the Trojan Horse and the surrounding architecture.
- step 05
Add the figures, paying attention to their proportions and placement within the scene.
- step 06
Develop the textures of the walls, the ground, and the horse using varied brushstrokes.
- step 07
Glaze layers of color to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the sense of realism.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black
Achieve the cool night sky by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of black. Create the warm tones of the walls and ground by blending raw umber, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna. Use white to create highlights on the horse and architecture.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·linear perspective
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective can flatten the image.
- →Overworking the details too early can lead to a stiff appearance.
- →Inconsistent light source will ruin the illusion of depth.
- →Neglecting atmospheric perspective will make the background appear too sharp.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for detailed brushwork. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color and simplify the initial stages of painting.
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