plate no. 5027

Joan of Arc and the heavenly voices

oilAcademicismreligious paintingfigureangellandscapereligioushistoricalapparition

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice rendering figures with soft edges and creating a sense of ethereal light. Students can also learn about composition and storytelling through visual art.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the darkest values in the foreground figure and the background trees.
step 03
Start building up the mid-tones in the landscape, blending carefully.
step 04
Introduce the lighter values for the ethereal figures, using thin washes.
step 05
Refine the details of the foreground figure, paying attention to anatomy and drapery.
step 06
Soften the edges of the ethereal figures to create a sense of transparency.
step 07
Add highlights to the angel and the women to enhance the luminosity.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to achieve a balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · payne's gray

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white in different ratios. Use raw umber and payne's gray to create warmer and cooler grays, respectively.

techniques

·grisaille
·glazing
·scumbling
·soft blending
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the ethereal figures, making them appear too solid.
→Creating harsh lines and edges, which detract from the dreamlike quality.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure, resulting in a flat image.
→Neglecting the details of the foreground figure, making it appear less important.