plate no. 8112

Jupiter and Lycaon

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguretablemythologymonsterfooddrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery painting, and creating dramatic lighting effects. It also provides practice in rendering different textures, such as skin, cloth, and metal.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the values, focusing on the areas of greatest contrast.
step 04
Develop the details of the figures, including the facial features, hands, and drapery folds.
step 05
Refine the textures of the objects on the table, such as the bread, meat, and metal plate.
step 06
Add the background elements, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 07
Glaze and scumble to achieve the desired color and tonal effects.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red ochre · ultramarine blue · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · raw sienna

Achieve the flesh tones by mixing red ochre, titanium white, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use burnt umber and ivory black to create the dark shadows. Mix ultramarine blue and ivory black for the dark clothing.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·underpainting
·drapery folds

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Failing to establish a strong light source.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Not creating enough contrast between the light and dark areas.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (red ochre, ultramarine blue, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, raw sienna)
·Linseed oil
·Turpentine
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette knife