plate no. 1533

Head of St. John the Baptist

Mikhail Vrubel, 1905

pencil, watercolor, paperArt Nouveau (Modern)religious paintingportraitreligious figurehalobeardfaceiconography

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait drawing, watercolor washes, and creating texture with line work. It also encourages careful observation of facial features and the use of a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, halo, and shoulders using a pencil.
step 02
Refine the facial features, paying attention to proportions and symmetry.
step 03
Add the details of the hair and beard, using curved lines to create texture.
step 04
Apply a light wash of yellow watercolor to the halo.
step 05
Use a diluted blue wash for the background, leaving some areas lighter.
step 06
Add subtle washes of brown and pink to the face to create depth and shadow.
step 07
Reinforce the outlines and details with pencil, adding darker lines to emphasize the contours.
step 08
Add the text around the halo with a fine brush or pen.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber for the halo. Use diluted ultramarine blue for the background. Create skin tones by mixing raw sienna, alizarin crimson, and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques