plate no. 0213

Arabic Madonna and Child

oilOrientalismreligious paintingfiguremotherchildclothingreligiousportrait

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice rendering draped fabric and subtle skin tones. Students can also learn about creating a focal point through composition and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of color, starting with the background and then the figures' clothing.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the skin tones, using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the faces, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Add the details of the clothing, such as the folds and wrinkles in the fabric.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, and white. Use small amounts of blue and yellow to create subtle variations in skin tones and fabric colors.

techniques