plate no. 5260

Joan of Arc

oil, canvasRomanticismhistory paintingfigurearmorsworddresshistoricalportrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering metallic surfaces and understanding light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in portraiture and depicting complex textures like fabric and chainmail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Establish the background with dark, muted tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the armor and dress with base colors.
step 04
Begin layering highlights and shadows on the armor to create a metallic sheen.
step 05
Develop the folds and drapery of the dress, paying attention to how light interacts with the fabric.
step 06
Refine the facial features and expression, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading.
step 07
Add details such as the sword, chainmail, and helmet.
step 08
Apply final glazes to unify the colors and enhance the overall depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Achieve the metallic sheen by mixing white with small amounts of black, umber, and blue. Create depth in the red dress by layering different shades of red and adding subtle shadows with burnt sienna.

techniques