plate no. 8005
Cori di angeli musicanti
Lo Scheggia, 1450
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering drapery, and creating a sense of depth through layering and subtle value changes. It also offers practice in replicating a historical style with its characteristic color palette and composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and instruments.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background and robes using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, gradually building up highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Refine the details of the faces, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Paint the instruments, focusing on their form and texture.
- step 06
Add the halos using gold paint or a similar metallic color, carefully rendering the details.
- step 07
Glaze over the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw umber
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for shadows. Mix viridian green and ivory black for the darker greens.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·portraiture
- ·drapery
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations in color.
- →Making the halos too bright and overpowering.
- →Not paying enough attention to the proportions of the figures.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth through layering and glazing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·gold leaf
- ·gesso
- ·retouch varnish
Using a toned canvas can help to establish the overall color harmony of the painting. Consider using a medium to slow the drying time of the paints.
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