plate no. 4859
Pietà
Pietro da Cortona, 1625
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in mixing subtle skin tones and depicting complex lighting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and landscape.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 03
Develop the background landscape, focusing on creating depth through atmospheric perspective.
- step 04
Begin to refine the figures, paying close attention to anatomy and drapery folds.
- step 05
Mix and apply subtle skin tones, using highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 06
Add details to the faces and hands, capturing the expressions of the figures.
- step 07
Refine the drapery, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
- step 08
Add final details and glazes to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue to distant elements.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·figure drawing
- ·drapery rendering
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of figures
- →Overly saturated colors
- →Lack of atmospheric perspective
- →Poor blending of skin tones
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·dammar varnish
- ·medium
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth and luminosity of the colors.
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