plate no. 1144
Madonna and Child with Two Angels
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and drapery, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in landscapes. It also offers practice in capturing subtle emotions and interactions between figures.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, paying attention to the placement and proportions of the figures and landscape.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background landscape.
- step 03
Begin layering the skin tones of the figures, focusing on the subtle shifts in value and hue.
- step 04
Develop the drapery, using thin layers of paint to create depth and texture.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, paying close attention to the eyes and mouths.
- step 06
Refine the landscape, adding details to the mountains and sky.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall mood.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson; create atmospheric perspective in the landscape by adding blue to the greens and browns.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·underpainting
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and hue.
- →Getting proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color palette.
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