plate no. 8615

Nativity (detail from the cental right Crucifixion panel of the Isenheim Altarpiece)

oilNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfigurebabyreligiousportraitlandscapehalo

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and drapery, and understanding the use of light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures and composition.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color and value.
step 03
Establish the base skin tones for the figures, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones to create a smooth, lifelike appearance.
step 05
Paint the drapery, focusing on the folds and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
step 07
Refine the background and add any remaining details, such as the halo and landscape elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and realism.

color palette

primary · red · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and blue. Create shadows by adding burnt umber. The red drapery is achieved by mixing a deep red with a touch of black for shadows and white for highlights.

techniques