plate no. 8469
Candlemas Day
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and fabric textures. Students will also learn to depict the subtle glow of candlelight and how it affects the surrounding colors.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, candle, and window.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the background, the figure's robe, and the candle.
- step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 04
Add details to the figure's clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
- step 05
Paint the candle, focusing on the bright flame and the soft glow it casts.
- step 06
Work on the background, adding depth and detail to the window and foliage.
- step 07
Refine the details of the book and rosary.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · viridian · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · purple
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The dark robe is a mix of black and ultramarine blue. The green background is viridian with white and yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·soft blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle glow of the candlelight.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.
- →Getting lost in the details and losing sight of the overall composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black tempera paint
- ·viridian tempera paint
- ·titanium white tempera paint
- ·ultramarine blue tempera paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retarder medium
- ·varnish
Tempera paint dries quickly, so work in small sections and use a retarder medium if needed.
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