plate no. 9552
Beheading of St. Dorothea
Hans Baldung, 1516
wood, temperaNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresarchitecturelandscapeskysnowreligious scene
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting complex scenes with multiple figures and architectural elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and architecture.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background landscape and sky.
- step 03
Establish the basic tones and colors of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomy.
- step 04
Develop the details of the drapery, paying attention to folds and highlights.
- step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, including the tower and surrounding structures.
- step 06
Refine the facial features and expressions of the figures.
- step 07
Add final details such as the snow, foliage, and other small elements.
- step 08
Glaze and adjust colors to achieve the desired depth and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · red · green · yellow ochre · white
secondary · brown · gray · blue · black
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use thin glazes of color to build up depth and luminosity.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·drapery rendering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·underpainting
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of figures
- →Overly bright or saturated colors
- →Lack of depth and atmospheric perspective
- →Ignoring the details of the drapery
- →Poorly defined facial features
materials
surface · Gessoed wood panel
required
- ·Tempera paints
- ·Gessoed wood panel
- ·Small round brushes
- ·Medium flat brushes
- ·Palette
- ·Water
- ·Soft cloth
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Retarder
- ·Varnish
Tempera paints dry quickly, so work in small sections and keep your brushes clean. Consider using a retarder to slow the drying time.
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