plate no. 6108

Madonna and Child with St. Elisabeth, the Infant St. John, and Two Angels

oil, panelHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresreligiouschildrenangelsdraperyfamily

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, rendering drapery, and creating subtle skin tones. It also provides practice in creating a balanced composition with multiple figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the forms with layers of paint, focusing on the light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 05
Render the drapery with careful attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add details to the faces and hands, paying attention to the expressions and gestures.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and adjust the values as needed.
step 08
Add final glazes to enhance the colors and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create deep shadows. Mix white with small amounts of blue and red for highlights on drapery.

techniques