plate no. 1406

Mohini and Rugmangada to kill his own son Raja Ravi Varma

oilAcademicismmythological paintingfiguresinteriorarchitecturemythologyclothingtemple

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering complex architectural details and textures.

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 and architecture.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Refine the figures, paying attention to anatomy, drapery folds, and facial expressions.
step 04
Add details to the architecture, including the columns, carvings, and steps.
step 05
Develop the background and create a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and textures, such as the clothing, jewelry, and architectural elements.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · red ochre · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing red ochre, raw umber, and titanium white. Create variations in the red fabrics by adding alizarin crimson or ivory black. Mix greens for the drapery using viridian and cadmium yellow.

techniques