plate no. 1205

Lilith with a Snake

oilRomanticismmythological paintingfiguresnakefoliagemythologyhairlandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, particularly rendering skin tones and anatomy, as well as blending techniques to create soft transitions and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the snake's placement.
step 02
Establish the background with dark greens and browns, creating depth with varying values.
step 03
Block in the figure's skin tones using a base color and gradually build up highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the snake, paying attention to the pattern and texture of its scales.
step 05
Refine the figure's features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle details.
step 06
Add details to the background foliage and ground, creating a sense of realism.
step 07
Blend and soften edges to create a smooth, polished finish.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use raw umber and ivory black to create the dark tones of the snake and background. Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and viridian green.

techniques