plate no. 5454

Allegory of Time

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresarchitectureskycloudswingslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, atmospheric perspective, and creating depth through value and color variations. It also provides practice in rendering drapery and architectural details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and key architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the sky and background elements, paying attention to atmospheric perspective (lighter and cooler tones in the distance).
step 04
Begin to develop the figures, starting with the larger forms and gradually adding details.
step 05
Work on the drapery, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and movement.
step 06
Refine the architectural details, focusing on accurate perspective and tonal values.
step 07
Add the wings and other symbolic elements, paying attention to their texture and form.
step 08
Glaze and adjust colors as needed to unify the painting and enhance the overall mood.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, and umber, with small amounts of yellow ochre. The sky is a mix of white, blue, and a touch of red to create the cloud tones. Dark areas use umber and black.

techniques