plate no. 0355
Mother with child inside the basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome
Noè Bordignon, 1875
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in complex lighting and understanding atmospheric perspective to create depth. It also provides practice in depicting textures of different materials like marble and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and architectural elements.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and shadow areas.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the figures.
- step 04
Develop the details of the figures, paying attention to the folds in the clothing and the facial features.
- step 05
Render the marble architecture, using subtle variations in color and value to create a sense of depth and texture.
- step 06
Add details to the stained glass window and other decorative elements.
- step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and realistic image.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and burnt sienna with titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the browns and create shadows. Mix cadmium red light with white and yellow ochre to achieve the skin tones.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering marble texture
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong light source.
- →Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Getting lost in the complexity of the architectural details.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#8 filbert brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the luminosity of the colors.
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