plate no. 0474
An Angel
Abbott Handerson Thayer, 1893
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle skin tones and rendering drapery with loose brushwork. It also provides practice in depicting wings and creating a sense of ethereal light.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic figure proportions and pose, paying attention to the placement of the wings.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of blue and white, creating a soft, diffused effect.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of the dress with white, using thin washes to indicate shadows and folds.
- step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, using a mix of pinks, yellows, and browns. Focus on capturing the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Add details to the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth. Use small, precise brushstrokes to create definition.
- step 06
Paint the wings, using a combination of light and dark tones to create a sense of depth and texture.
- step 07
Refine the details of the dress, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · alizarin crimson · raw umber
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding small amounts of other colors to create subtle variations.
techniques
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Creating harsh lines and edges.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color palette.
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