plate no. 2379

Cristo

oilNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfigureportraitreligioushaloclothingmale

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations to create realistic skin tones. Students will also learn to depict soft light and shadow and practice rendering fine details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the placement of facial features.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark blue-green color, gradually blending to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and neck using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering thin glazes of color, gradually building up the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the hair with loose, flowing strokes, capturing the texture and movement.
step 06
Add the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 07
Create the halo using thin, radiating lines of yellow and gold.
step 08
Refine the details of the face and clothing, adding subtle highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones using a combination of white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black for the background. Mix yellow ochre and white for the halo.

techniques

·glazing
·blending
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones and making them look muddy.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Making the halo too bright or distracting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags