plate no. 9004
Lux in Tenebris
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in rendering draped fabric and creating a sense of ethereal light. Students can develop their skills in portraiture and landscape elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of the rocks and sky.
- step 02
Establish the background colors, blending the blues and purples of the sky.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the rocks, using dark browns and umbers.
- step 04
Begin painting the figure's dress, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create volume.
- step 05
Add details to the figure's face and hair, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
- step 06
Paint the branch with leaves.
- step 07
Create the halo effect by layering light blues and whites around the figure.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to the rocks and dress.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber
secondary · titanium white · purple · raw sienna
Mix yellow ochre with white for the dress highlights. Use ultramarine blue and purple for the sky, and burnt umber with raw sienna for the rocks. Add white to create lighter tones.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of light and shadow on the dress.
- →Making the rocks too uniform in color and texture.
- →Not capturing the ethereal quality of the halo.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
- ·soft cloth
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Using a toned canvas can help establish the dark values in the background and rocks.
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