plate no. 0400

Baptism of Princess Jolanda Di Savoia

Achille Beltrame, 1901

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationfiguresinteriorceremonycurtainsflowersclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex figures and drapery, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in a crowded scene. It also provides practice in capturing intricate details and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background elements like curtains and walls.
step 03
Roughly define the figures, focusing on their poses and proportions.
step 04
Start adding details to the clothing, paying attention to folds and textures.
step 05
Develop the faces and hands, using subtle shading to create form.
step 06
Refine the details in the foreground, such as the table and the figures closest to the viewer.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious overall effect.

color palette

primary · ivory · gold ochre · emerald green · crimson

secondary · cerulean blue · burnt umber · rose madder

Achieve the ivory tones by mixing titanium white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber. The greens are created by mixing emerald green with yellow ochre and a touch of blue.

techniques

·figure drawing
·drapery rendering
·atmospheric perspective
·color layering
·detail work

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Overworking certain areas while neglecting others.
→Inaccurate proportions of figures.