plate no. 1736
Deeds of Christian Charity
Pieter Aertsen, 1575
advanced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex compositions with many figures and architectural details, as well as understanding color harmony and atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
1
study guide
est. 40 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to map out the overall composition and placement of figures and buildings.
- step 02
Establish the background architecture and foliage using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the main groups of figures, focusing on their gestures and relationships to each other.
- step 04
Develop the details of the figures, including clothing, faces, and hands.
- step 05
Refine the architectural details, adding shadows and highlights to create depth.
- step 06
Pay attention to the color palette, mixing colors to achieve the desired tones and hues.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ochre · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · red ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth pigments with white and small amounts of blue or yellow. Use glazes of transparent colors to create depth and luminosity.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·figure drawing
- ·architectural rendering
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →getting lost in the details too early
- →inaccurate proportions of figures
- →muddy colors
- →lack of depth
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·canvas panel
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Aristotle
Justus van Gent
The Man of Sorrows with the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist
Martin Schongauer
The pride of the beggar sitting on the train of haughtiness
Albrecht Altdorfer
Adoration of the Magi
Quentin Matsys
Christ on the Cross
Albrecht Altdorfer
Frühling - Das Bereiten Der Blumenbeete
Pieter Brueghel the Younger
Group of Men
Rogier van der Weyden
Madonna and Child Holding a Pear
Bernard Van Orley