plate no. 0601
Allegory
Filippino Lippi, 1498
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering, glazing, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering figures and drapery with subtle shading.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and the cityscape.
- step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of earth tones, creating a sense of depth.
- step 03
Block in the main figures with simplified shapes and colors.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to define the drapery folds and facial features.
- step 05
Add details to the cityscape, using lighter values for distant elements.
- step 06
Refine the landscape details, including trees, rocks, and the snake.
- step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the colors and create a soft, luminous effect.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figures.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · yellow ochre
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth pigments with white and small amounts of black. Use glazes of diluted color to create depth and luminosity.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
- ·drapery study
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·damar varnish
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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