plate no. 5599
Biblical study
George Elgar Hicks, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and facial expressions, as well as understanding how to depict drapery and fabric folds with light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes, focusing on the dark areas.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, layering colors to create depth and form.
- step 05
Develop the drapery, using highlights and shadows to define the folds and textures.
- step 06
Add details to the faces, focusing on capturing the expressions.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding finishing touches.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the luminosity.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create a range of dark browns and grays for the background and shadows. Mix white with a touch of blue and umber for the white drapery.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
- →Losing the looseness and spontaneity of the original painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·retouch varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground to help establish the value structure.
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