plate no. 1450

Night and Sleep

Mary Lizzie Macomber, 1902

oilRomanticismsymbolic paintingfiguresnightstarslightangelsportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow to create a focal point and mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of black and ultramarine blue.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figures' skin and clothing.
step 04
Begin layering and blending skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the light source in the hand, using yellow and white to create a glowing effect.
step 07
Add the subtle details of the wings and stars.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · raw umber

Mix ivory black and ultramarine blue for the dark background. Use yellow ochre, titanium white, and a touch of alizarin crimson for skin tones. Mix raw umber with black for shadows.

techniques