plate no. 7149

Mother With Child Under The Crucifix

oil, canvasBiedermeiergenre paintingfiguresmotherchildcrucifixprayerreligious

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and soft lighting. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a dimly lit environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main figures and the crucifix.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted brown.
step 03
Establish the main light source and begin layering in the skin tones of the mother and child, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the clothing with loose brushstrokes, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the expressions of the mother and child.
step 06
Add details to the crucifix, keeping it dark and somewhat indistinct.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and brown. Use thin glazes to build up the colors gradually. The dark background is a mix of black and umber.

techniques