plate no. 6820

Adoration of the Magi

oil, canvasRococoreligious paintingfiguresreligious scenearchitectureangelsclothingbaby

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, drapery, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering complex compositions with multiple figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and architecture.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the values, focusing on the areas of greatest contrast.
step 04
Develop the details of the figures, including the faces, hands, and clothing.
step 05
Work on the background elements, such as the architecture and sky, using looser brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix various shades of skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Create shadows by adding burnt umber and ivory black to the skin tone mixture. Achieve the blue of Mary's robe by mixing ultramarine blue with titanium white, and varying the intensity with more or less blue.

techniques