plate no. 0196

A Saint, from the 'Jackdaw of Rheims'

oilAcademicismanimal paintingbirdbookswindowarchitecturewallinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering textures like stone and feathers, as well as understanding light and shadow to create depth and form. It also offers practice in depicting intricate details like the stained glass window.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: window, books, and bird, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background wall with a base layer of warm brown tones.
step 03
Establish the basic colors of the stained glass window, focusing on the geometric pattern.
step 04
Paint the stack of books, layering different shades of red and brown to create depth and form.
step 05
Begin to define the bird's shape with dark values, gradually adding highlights to create form.
step 06
Refine the details of the bird, including feathers, beak, and eyes.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to the wall and books to enhance the three-dimensional effect.
step 08
Add final details to the window and books, such as the rosary beads.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · cadmium red · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt umber with ivory black for the bird's dark feathers. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the warm tones of the wall. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber to achieve the different shades of red for the books.

techniques