plate no. 9704

Joan of Arc

oilRomanticismillustrationfigureswordportraitjewelryhistoricalarmor

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice in depicting metallic surfaces and intricate details in clothing and jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, sword, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin washes of color to the canvas, focusing on the dominant hues.
step 03
Begin developing the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the play of light and shadow.
step 04
Render the hair with loose, flowing brushstrokes, capturing its texture and volume.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and jewelry, using smaller brushes to create intricate patterns and textures.
step 06
Paint the sword, focusing on capturing the reflective qualities of the metal surface.
step 07
Refine the background elements, adding depth and dimension to the composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall realism and visual impact of the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian · ivory black · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to create subtle variations. Use raw umber and ivory black to create shadows and define forms.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering metal
·depicting fabric

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure
→Overblending of skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance
→Failure to capture the reflective qualities of the sword
→Inaccurate depiction of the clothing and jewelry details

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian, ivory black)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags