plate no. 8370

Isabella Borluut, panel from the Ghent Altarpiece

oil, panelNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitfigureclothingarchitecturehandsreligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including rendering realistic skin tones and depicting fabric folds with light and shadow. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere using subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the figure, architectural frame, and major folds in the clothing.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, blending smoothly.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figure's clothing and skin, focusing on accurate color matching.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create the form and volume of the figure, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and subtle color variations.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as the folds and textures, using highlights and shadows.
step 07
Paint the architectural frame, paying attention to the details and perspective.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the entire painting to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · cadmium red light

Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use burnt umber and ivory black to create the dark background and shadows. Mix viridian with yellow ochre to create the green of the sleeves.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the paint and losing the subtle color variations.
→Failing to accurately capture the proportions and anatomy of the figure.
→Creating harsh lines and edges instead of smooth transitions.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form and depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, viridian, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (small round, medium flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags