plate no. 9690

Troops at Balliol, Second World War

oilNeo-Romanticismlandscapetreesbuildingsfiguresgrassskysoldiers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and painting figures in a landscape setting. It also provides practice in creating depth through layering and color variation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of buildings, trees, and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the buildings and trees with diluted washes of color.
step 03
Establish the sky with soft, blended tones, creating a sense of depth.
step 04
Begin adding details to the buildings, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Paint the trees, using varied greens and browns to create texture and depth.
step 06
Add the figures, starting with the larger groups and gradually adding details.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures and buildings, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final details to the foreground, such as the grass and any small objects.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · sap green · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix greens by combining sap green with yellow ochre or cadmium yellow. Achieve earth tones by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques