plate no. 7237

Dante in Exile

Frederic Leighton, 1864

oil, canvasAcademicismhistory paintingfiguresdraperyarchitecturehistorical sceneportraitsceremony

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background and figures, focusing on value relationships.
step 03
Develop the drapery, paying attention to folds and highlights.
step 04
Refine the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomical details.
step 05
Mix and apply subtle color variations to create depth and realism.
step 06
Add details to the faces, hands, and other key areas.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create shadows with burnt umber and ivory black. Use glazes of viridian to create depth in the dark areas.

techniques

·figure drawing
·drapery rendering
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions in figures.
→Overly harsh or flat lighting.
→Failure to capture the subtle color variations in the drapery.
→Getting lost in details too early without establishing the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 24x36
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, viridian)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags