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home·artworks·Blind Veit Stoss with daughter
Blind Veit Stoss with daughter by Jan Matejko

plate no. 9925

Blind Veit Stoss with daughter

Jan Matejko

oilRomanticismgenre paintingfiguresinteriorhistoricalclothingarchitectureportrait
experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering textures of clothing and fur, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and background.

  2. step 02

    Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.

  3. step 03

    Begin to refine the details of the faces, paying close attention to the light and shadow.

  4. step 04

    Develop the textures of the clothing, fur, and architectural elements using a variety of brushstrokes.

  5. step 05

    Build up the layers of paint, gradually increasing the level of detail and realism.

  6. step 06

    Pay attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones and clothing.

  7. step 07

    Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.

  8. step 08

    Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of blues and reds. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

  • ·portraiture
  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·chiaroscuro
  • ·rendering textures

common pitfalls

  • →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
  • →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of unity.
  • →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
  • →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·oil paints
  • ·palette
  • ·palette knife
  • ·assorted brushes
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·turpentine
  • ·rags

optional

  • ·medium gloss
  • ·retouch varnish
  • ·easel

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for building up layers of paint.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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