plate no. 7456

Faith, Hope, and Love

Mary Lizzie Macomber, 1900

oilRomanticismallegorical paintingfiguresangelsallegorycrownlampwings

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating subtle color harmonies. It also offers practice in depicting soft lighting and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, figures, and clothing.
step 03
Begin refining the shapes and adding details to the faces and hands.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and shadows in the clothing, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Add details to the wings, halos, and other accessories.
step 06
Refine the background and foreground, adding texture and detail.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to create depth and luminosity.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · sap green · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by blending sap green with yellow ochre or ultramarine blue. Achieve skin tones by combining titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use thin glazes of burnt sienna and ultramarine blue to create shadows.

techniques