plate no. 2408
Pallas Athena, Venus and Juno
Hans von Aachen, 1593
oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)mythological paintingfiguresmythologyhelmetskin tonesdraperydark background
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting complex drapery and metallic surfaces.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare the canvas with a neutral ground.
- step 02
Create a light sketch outlining the figures' positions and proportions.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the dark background and the overall skin tones.
- step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, gradually building up highlights and shadows using thin glazes.
- step 05
Define the drapery folds and the helmet's details, paying attention to the way light interacts with the surfaces.
- step 06
Add details to the faces, including eyes, noses, and mouths.
- step 07
Refine the edges and blend the transitions between colors.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism and depth.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Darken the shadows with burnt umber and blue. The helmet is a mix of yellow, umber, and black with highlights of yellow and white.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or flat appearance.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions and anatomy of the figures.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them properly.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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