plate no. 9182
Embarkation of Saint Ursula
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective, rendering architectural details, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in painting figures in various poses and scales.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the architectural elements and the horizon line.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes of the buildings, columns, and boats using simplified forms and a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 03
Establish the sky with a light blue wash, blending it softly towards the horizon.
- step 04
Start adding details to the architectural elements, paying attention to perspective and the play of light and shadow.
- step 05
Begin painting the figures, starting with the larger groups and gradually adding detail to the individual figures in the foreground.
- step 06
Add the boats and rigging, using thin lines and subtle variations in color to create depth.
- step 07
Refine the details of the foreground, including the flowers and the figures on the carpet.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · titanium white
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth colors with small amounts of blue and white. Use glazes of thinned paint to create depth and luminosity.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·linear perspective
- ·figure painting
- ·rendering architecture
common pitfalls
- →getting the perspective wrong
- →overworking the details
- →using colors that are too bright
- →failing to create a sense of depth
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a warmer base.
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