plate no. 8802

Lux in tenebris lucet

Ion Theodorescu-Sion, 1909

oilSymbolismreligious paintingfiguretreesportraitreligiousfoliagelight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impasto techniques and color mixing to create luminosity. It also encourages expressive brushwork and understanding of how to build form with color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure and the surrounding trees, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of blue and violet, creating a textured base.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure's face and hair with corresponding colors, using a thick application of paint.
step 04
Layer in highlights and shadows on the face using yellow, orange, and brown, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Define the details of the hair and beard with short, directional strokes of orange, red, and brown.
step 06
Add details to the trees and foliage, using varying shades of blue and green to create depth and texture.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting colors and values, ensuring a harmonious balance.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the luminosity of the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium orange

secondary · burnt umber · violet · sap green

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium orange, and a touch of burnt umber. Create the blues and violets by mixing ultramarine blue with violet or a touch of red.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·color layering
·directional brushstrokes

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can flatten the image.
→Ignoring the direction of light, which can make the figure appear unnatural.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the focal point.
→Not allowing enough drying time between layers, which can result in muddy colors.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium orange, burnt umber, violet, sap green, titanium white)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits