plate no. 4188

Catholic Nuns Wearing Their Rarely-Seen Away Uniforms

oilBaroquegenre paintingnunsfiguresclothingreligiousinteriorgroup portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing realistic skin tones and facial expressions.

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 the figures.
step 02
Block in the basic shapes and values of the figures and their clothing using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the skin tones by layering subtle variations of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Render the drapery of the nuns' habits, focusing on the folds and how they define the form.
step 05
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture their individual expressions.
step 06
Refine the background and add any remaining details, such as the architectural elements.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by combining titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the blue of the habits by mixing ultramarine blue with a small amount of ivory black and white for highlights.

techniques