plate no. 1915

Elisha’s Resurrection of the Shunammite Woman’s Son

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfiguresinteriorreligious scenedraperybed

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, rendering skin tones, and creating dramatic lighting effects. It also offers practice in depicting complex drapery and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of light and shadow using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces and hands, capturing the expressions and gestures of the figures.
step 06
Add the background and architectural elements, keeping them relatively simple to avoid distracting from the figures.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the depth and richness of the tones.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, burnt umber, and a touch of red or yellow ochre. Achieve dark shadows by mixing burnt umber and ivory black. Use glazes of red and brown to create depth and richness in the drapery.

techniques