plate no. 8616
Angel with the Flaming Sword
Franz Stuck, 1889
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, particularly rendering drapery and skin tones with subtle color variations, and creating atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of the sword.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, creating a textured effect.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to proportions and anatomy.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to define the drapery, using highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 05
Refine the facial features and add details to the hair and halo.
- step 06
Paint the wings, using dark browns and blacks to create depth and texture.
- step 07
Render the sword with a gradient of red and orange, suggesting a fiery glow.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to the figure and background.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · burnt sienna
Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre, titanium white, and a touch of viridian green. Create the skin tones by blending titanium white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red, adjusting the proportions for highlights and shadows.
techniques
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·color blending
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones and drapery.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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