plate no. 4097
Education of the Virgin
Georges de la Tour, 1640
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to create a focal point using light. It also provides practice in rendering skin tones and drapery in low-light conditions.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the candle.
- step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin layer of dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and the book with mid-tone colors.
- step 04
Begin to build up the highlights on the faces, hands, and book, using lighter shades of the base colors.
- step 05
Carefully blend the transitions between light and shadow to create a soft, luminous effect.
- step 06
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
- step 07
Refine the drapery folds and the texture of the book.
- step 08
Add final highlights to the candle flame and the edges of the objects to enhance the sense of light.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black
Mix burnt umber and ivory black for the dark background. Use raw sienna and titanium white to create the skin tones, adding small amounts of cadmium red light for warmth. Mix burnt umber with small amounts of cadmium red light for the robes.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·underpainting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the highlights, resulting in a chalky appearance.
- →Failing to create a strong enough contrast between light and shadow.
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Using too much detail in the background, distracting from the focal point.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·linseed oil
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a high-quality canvas primed with gesso. Consider using a toned ground to make it easier to establish the dark background.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
St. Simon
Georges de la Tour
St. Bartholomew
Jusepe de Ribera
The Triangle Player
Georges de la Tour
Glowers in a sculpted vase on a stone plinth
Mario Nuzzi
St. Jerome
Jusepe de Ribera
A Mother Entrusting Her Sons to Christ
Mattia Preti
Adoration of the Magi in a wreath of flowers
Mario Nuzzi
St. Philip
Jusepe de Ribera