plate no. 0905
Polyptych of Cervara: center panel Madonna and Child Enthroned
Gerard David, 1506
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and drapery folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures.
- step 02
Establish the background colors, starting with the darkest areas and gradually adding lighter tones.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin layering skin tones, using thin glazes to build up depth and luminosity.
- step 05
Define the drapery folds, using a combination of highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Add details to the faces, including eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Paint the grapes, focusing on capturing the individual spheres and their subtle variations in color.
- step 08
Add final details, such as the halo and decorative elements.
color palette
primary · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · gold
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Dark areas are created by mixing ivory black with small amounts of red or blue.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the drapery folds.
- →Inaccurately rendering the proportions of the figures.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in an unnatural look.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·viridian oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·damar varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Aristotle
Justus van Gent
The Man of Sorrows with the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist
Martin Schongauer
The pride of the beggar sitting on the train of haughtiness
Albrecht Altdorfer
Adoration of the Magi
Quentin Matsys
Christ on the Cross
Albrecht Altdorfer
Frühling - Das Bereiten Der Blumenbeete
Pieter Brueghel the Younger
Group of Men
Rogier van der Weyden
Madonna and Child Holding a Pear
Bernard Van Orley