plate no. 2091

This Painting Marks the Defeat of Bolshevik Troops by the 11th North Russian Rifles, Led by Colonel Kruglyakov

Henry Tonks, 1919

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresbuildingsskyvillagecrowd

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in painting figures in a crowd and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a scene with loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad strokes of blue and white, blending the colors softly.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings using a mixture of browns and ochres.
step 04
Roughly define the figures with simple shapes and colors, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 05
Add details to the figures, such as clothing and facial features, using small brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the colors and values of the buildings and figures to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form of the objects and figures.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and details to achieve a cohesive and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · burnt sienna

Mix browns and ochres for the buildings, varying the tones to create depth. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix greens and browns for the landscape.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·alla prima
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Getting bogged down in the individual figures and losing sight of the overall composition.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not blending them sufficiently.