plate no. 5229
Madonna and Child
Robert Campin, 1430
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic drapery and skin tones, as well as understanding the use of light and shadow to create form. It also provides an opportunity to study complex patterns and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 40 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and background.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background textile, focusing on the repeating patterns.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and values for the Madonna and Child, paying attention to the light source.
- step 04
Begin rendering the drapery, using layers of paint to create folds and highlights.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, hands, and other key areas, refining the forms and expressions.
- step 06
Paint the halos with careful attention to the gold color and texture.
- step 07
Work on the details of the clothing, including the gold embroidery and fur trim.
- step 08
Add the final details to the background and foreground, such as the grass and flowers.
color palette
primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · red earth · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · gold · raw umber
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red earth. Create the gold color by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of raw umber and a metallic gold pigment if available. The background red is achieved by mixing red earth with a touch of ivory black and yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·underpainting
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Oversimplifying the drapery and losing the sense of form.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Struggling with the complexity of the background pattern.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·damar varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the values.
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