plate no. 7826

Children of Jacob sell his brother Joseph

oilRomanticismreligious paintingfigureslandscapetreesclothingcamelsky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery painting, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering skin tones and complex compositions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and landscape elements, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, focusing on the sky and distant mountains.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes and colors of the figures, using a limited palette of earth tones and primary colors.
step 04
Develop the drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Refine the skin tones, using subtle variations of color to create form and depth.
step 06
Add details to the faces, hands, and other important features.
step 07
Introduce shadows and highlights to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various skin tones by blending burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create shadows and darker tones in the landscape and clothing.

techniques