plate no. 0863

Cimabue's Celebrated Madonna Carried in Procession Through the Streets of Florence

oil, canvasAcademicismhistory paintingfiguresprocessionarchitecturecityscapehistoricalreligion

advanced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to manage a complex composition with many elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 60 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the sky, buildings, and distant landscape.
step 03
Start painting the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomical details.
step 04
Develop the drapery, paying attention to folds, highlights, and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add details to the faces and hands of the figures, capturing their expressions and gestures.
step 06
Refine the architectural details, including the textures and patterns of the buildings.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the flowers, musical instruments, and other decorative elements.
step 08
Glaze and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian · ivory black

Mix various shades of skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, and white. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue to distant colors.

techniques

·figure drawing
·drapery rendering
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions of figures
→Flat and lifeless drapery
→Lack of depth and atmospheric perspective
→Overworking details too early
→Muddy color mixing

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 24x48
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian, ivory black)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags