plate no. 1534

Mother of God

Ivan-Valentyn Zadorozhny, 1987

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)religious paintingfiguremotherchildreligiousflowersportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and applying stylized brushwork to create texture and visual interest. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve a limited but harmonious palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figures and floral elements, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background with a solid layer of dark blue paint.
step 03
Apply the base skin tones to the figures, using a mix of ochre, white, and a touch of brown.
step 04
Add shadows and highlights to the faces and bodies, using darker and lighter shades of the base skin tone.
step 05
Paint the clothing and other details, using flat colors and simple shapes.
step 06
Add the floral elements, using a mix of pink, red, white, and green.
step 07
Outline key areas with darker colors to define shapes and add contrast.
step 08
Refine details and add final touches, such as highlights in the eyes and subtle variations in color.

color palette

primary · ochre · white · dark blue · brown

secondary · pink · red · green

Skin tones are achieved by mixing ochre, white, and a touch of brown. Vary the proportions to create highlights and shadows. The background is a deep blue, possibly mixed with a touch of black.

techniques