plate no. 0368
Cristo in pietà fra due angeli
Ambrogio Bergognone, 1490
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, particularly in rendering skin tones and drapery, as well as understanding chiaroscuro to create depth and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and the cross.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the figures.
- step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, using thin washes of color to build up the form.
- step 04
Add details to the angels' robes, focusing on the folds and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the candles and halos, paying attention to the light source.
- step 06
Refine the details of Christ's face and body, including the wounds.
- step 07
Add the final details to the background and the cloth.
- step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add depth.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · cadmium red light · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the deep reds of the robes by layering alizarin crimson and burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue to darken the shadows.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·underpainting
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the light and shadow areas.
- →Inaccurately portraying the anatomy of the figures.
- →Not capturing the emotional expression of the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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