plate no. 3135
Life and Thought Have Gone Away
Evelyn De Morgan, 1893
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, rendering drapery, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in skin tones and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 40 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures, architectural elements, and landscape features, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
- step 02
Block in the basic colors for the background, including the sky, landscape, and architectural structure.
- step 03
Begin painting the figures, starting with the underpainting to establish the values and skin tones.
- step 04
Develop the drapery on the figures, paying attention to the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
- step 05
Paint the angels, focusing on the subtle color variations in their wings and robes.
- step 06
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the columns, arches, and decorative carvings.
- step 07
Develop the landscape, adding details to the foliage, flowers, and other natural elements.
- step 08
Refine the details throughout the painting, adjusting colors, values, and edges as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.
color palette
primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
secondary · viridian · alizarin crimson · raw umber
Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue to distant colors.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of figures
- →muddy color mixing
- →overworking details
- →lack of atmospheric perspective
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes sizes 0-4
- ·flat brushes sizes 2-8
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·damar varnish
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Romantic Landscape
Karl Lessing
Self-portrait with his brother Francesco
Giuseppe Tominz
Oenone Refuse de Secourir Pâris au Siège de Troie
Léon Cogniet
Duke of Alba
Francisco Goya
Blick Aus Dem Wald Ins Tal
Andreas Achenbach
Young Girl Fixing Her Hair
Sophie Gengembre Anderson
The Plough Inn
William Shayer
Hudson River Landscape
Johann Hermann Carmiencke