plate no. 5635

Icon of the Savior from the village of Horodyshche in Volhynia (late 17th century)

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigurereligiousangelscloudsbookhalo

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and creating atmospheric effects with glazes. It also provides practice in rendering drapery and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color, focusing on the dark and light values.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features of the central figure and the surrounding angels.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and textures, using layering and glazing techniques.
step 05
Add details to the book, including the text and binding.
step 06
Create the atmospheric effect of the clouds by blending and softening edges.
step 07
Paint the halo and other decorative elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figures.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt sienna · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · raw umber

Mix various shades of brown and red for the skin tones. Use white to create lighter values and blue to create darker values. Mix yellow ochre and white for the halo.

techniques