plate no. 7192

Christ with the Canaanite Woman and Her Daughter

Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1909

oilImpressionismreligious paintingfiguresbuildingreligious scenenightdoorway

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use value to create a sense of light and shadow, and how to suggest form with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a dimly lit environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest areas of the painting with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures and the building, paying attention to the overall color temperature.
step 04
Begin to develop the forms of the figures with thicker paint and more defined brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the windows and the doorway.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, using highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add final details, such as the facial features and the textures of the clothing.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix blues and umbers with white to create the cool tones of the building and the shadows. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre to add warmth to the figures and the highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and unconvincing image.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can detract from the overall mood of the painting.
→Neglecting the importance of edges, which can help to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.