plate no. 7749

Presentation of Cardinal de Mies to the Virgin

wood, temperaNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresreligiousangelsrobeshaloarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex drapery, creating realistic skin tones, and understanding the use of light and shadow to create depth. It also provides practice in depicting intricate details and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures and architectural elements, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the basic shapes and colors of the background, focusing on the subtle variations in the gold tones.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to define the shadows and highlights on the figures' faces and clothing.
step 04
Carefully layer the colors of the robes, using glazes to build up depth and richness.
step 05
Pay close attention to the details of the faces, hands, and other intricate elements, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 06
Add the halos and other symbolic elements, ensuring they are accurately placed and rendered.
step 07
Refine the details of the architectural elements and the angels, paying attention to their textures and forms.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance, ensuring a harmonious and balanced image.

color palette

primary · red · blue · gold · brown

secondary · green · white · black · grey

Achieve the rich reds by layering crimson and scarlet. Mix blues with white and a touch of black for the drapery. Create the gold tones by layering yellow ochre, raw sienna, and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques

·glazing
·layering
·dry brushing
·hatching
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Oversimplifying the drapery and losing the folds and shadows.
→Failing to capture the subtle nuances of the skin tones.
→Rushing the details and losing the overall sense of realism.

materials

surface · prepared wood panel

required

·Tempera paints (or acrylics)
·Small round brushes (sizes 0-3)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4-8)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linen panel or wood panel
·Gesso
·Soft cloth

optional

·Retarder medium
·Varnish
·Easel

If using acrylics, consider using a retarder medium to slow the drying time and allow for more blending. Apply several layers of gesso to the panel for a smooth surface.

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