plate no. 5011
Holy Family
Bernard Van Orley, 1531
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting complex drapery and architectural details.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 40 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition and proportions of the figures and architectural elements.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin building up the skin tones of the figures, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Develop the drapery, focusing on the folds and textures.
- step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the columns and the background structure.
- step 06
Refine the facial features and expressions of the figures.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the flowers and the patterns on the clothing.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create depth.
color palette
primary · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or green for shadows. Create depth in the drapery by layering blues and blacks.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the composition.
- →Not paying enough attention to the details in the architectural elements.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium gel
- ·painting easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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