plate no. 5891
David with the Head of Goliath
Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1625
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro, anatomical rendering, and creating a sense of drama through light and shadow. It also provides practice in blending and layering to achieve realistic skin tones.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the dark background and general areas of shadow.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light on the figure, using a mid-tone.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending to refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle color variations.
- step 05
Add highlights to create form and volume, especially on the muscles and face.
- step 06
Work on the hair, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and movement.
- step 07
Refine the drapery and other details, adding subtle shadows and highlights.
- step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of umber and ochre. Use black sparingly to deepen shadows. Glazes can be created by thinning the paint with linseed oil.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·anatomical rendering
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, which can result in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Using too much black, which can make the shadows look muddy.
- →Ignoring subtle color variations in the skin tones.
- →Getting the proportions wrong, especially in the figure's anatomy.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, ivory black)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags or paper towels
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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