plate no. 1057

Tivoli: The Temple of the Sybil and the Campagna

oilRococolandscapelandscapeskycloudsarchitecturetreesfigures

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and creating depth through layering of tones. It also provides practice in rendering foliage and architectural details.

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 town, tree, and figures.
step 02
Establish the sky with light blue and white, blending the clouds softly.
step 03
Block in the distant landscape with muted greens and browns, using lighter values for areas further away.
step 04
Paint the town on the hill, paying attention to the shapes of the buildings and the tower.
step 05
Add the tree, starting with the trunk and branches, then layering in the foliage with varying shades of green.
step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground, using simple shapes and muted colors.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, such as the rocks, foliage, and path.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · sap green · ivory black

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre, sap green, and raw umber. Achieve atmospheric perspective by adding white to colors for distant elements.

techniques