plate no. 2351

Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

oilNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfigurereligious scenehalocloudsportraitsnarrative

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering drapery and complex compositions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the central figure and the placement of the surrounding circular scenes.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the central figure, focusing on the dark green robe and the skin tones.
step 03
Begin to add details to the face, paying close attention to the shading and highlights to capture the expression.
step 04
Paint the gold halo using thin, even strokes to create a radiating effect.
step 05
Start working on the circular scenes, one at a time, blocking in the main colors and shapes.
step 06
Add details to each scene, focusing on the figures and their expressions.
step 07
Paint the surrounding clouds, using soft, blended strokes to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · gold

Achieve the dark green robe by mixing ivory black and viridian green. Create skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, cadmium red, and titanium white.

techniques