plate no. 7356

Our Lady of Life-giving Source

oilBaroquereligious paintingreligious figuresangelsarchitecturecrowdiconByzantine

advanced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering, glazing, and depicting complex scenes with many figures. It also provides practice in replicating a traditional icon style with specific color palettes and symbolic elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the surface with gesso and allow it to dry completely.
step 02
Create a detailed underdrawing of the entire composition, paying close attention to proportions and placement of figures.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, starting with the background and larger shapes.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up depth and create subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Focus on the central figures of Mary and the Christ Child, adding details and highlights to create a focal point.
step 06
Paint the surrounding figures and architectural elements, gradually adding more detail and definition.
step 07
Add the gold leaf or gold paint to the halos and decorative elements.
step 08
Apply a final varnish to protect the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · red ochre · yellow ochre · Prussian blue · ivory black

secondary · gold · viridian · burnt umber

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth pigments with small amounts of blue or black. Use glazes of transparent colors to create depth and luminosity.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·hatching

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early and losing the overall composition.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, which will detract from the traditional icon style.
→Failing to create enough depth and dimension in the figures and background.
→Inaccurate proportions in the figures.

materials

surface · Gessoed panel

required

·Gessoed panel or canvas
·Acrylic or oil paints (red ochre, yellow ochre, Prussian blue, ivory black, burnt umber, viridian)
·Round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4, 6)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
·Varnish
·Reference image

optional

·Gold leaf
·Gilding adhesive
·Retarder medium
·Detail brush

Using a smooth gessoed panel will help to achieve the smooth, detailed finish characteristic of icon painting. Oil paints are traditional, but acrylics can be used as well.

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