plate no. 8905
Vicenza
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, rendering architectural details, and capturing the effects of light and shadow on complex forms. It also provides practice in depicting figures within a cityscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic perspective and proportions of the architecture.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of light and shadow using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Develop the architectural details, paying close attention to the perspective and proportions.
- step 04
Add the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details.
- step 05
Refine the values and colors, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and volume.
- step 07
Pay attention to the edges, softening some and sharpening others to create visual interest.
- step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
The painting relies heavily on earth tones. Mix variations of browns and grays by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, and small amounts of ultramarine blue. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red light sparingly to add warmth to certain areas.
techniques
- ·grisaille underpainting
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect perspective can ruin the architectural accuracy.
- →Overworking the details can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
- →Ignoring the values can flatten the image and reduce the sense of depth.
- →Using too much color can detract from the overall tonal harmony.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·linseed oil
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
A toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) can be helpful for establishing the initial values.
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