plate no. 8789
Heavenly Charity
Simon Vouet, 1640
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures, drapery, and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve subtle gradations and highlights.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figure and landscape elements.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and moving to the figure.
- step 04
Begin to refine the details of the figure, paying attention to the folds of the drapery and the anatomy of the face and hands.
- step 05
Develop the landscape, focusing on creating depth and atmosphere.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details of the heart and palm leaf.
- step 08
Add final glazes and adjustments to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create the darker tones in the background and shadows.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·drapery rendering
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium (e.g. Liquin)
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground to help establish the overall color harmony.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Landscape with Shepherds - The Pont Molle
Claude Lorrain
Presentation of Christ in the Temple
Simon Vouet
Landscape with the Funeral of Phocion
Nicolas Poussin
Confirmation
Nicolas Poussin
The Baptism of Christ
Jacques Stella
Landscape with Diogenes
Nicolas Poussin
Landscape with Water Mill
Claude Lorrain
The pilgrims of Emmaus
Jacques Stella