plate no. 0687

Monja Leyendo

oilNaturalismportraitfigureportraitnunreadingreligious clothingpaper

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and drapery folds. It also provides practice in capturing a sense of quiet contemplation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hands, and the folds of the habit.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Block in the main color areas of the face, hands, and habit, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on subtle shifts in color and value to create form.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the habit, using a combination of blending and layering techniques.
step 06
Add details to the hands and the paper, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, ensuring that the overall composition is balanced and harmonious.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the darker shades in the habit.

techniques