plate no. 9401

Prophet Elijah in the Desert - from the Winged altar in St. Peter in Leuven

oil, panelNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingangelfiguredesertmountainslandscapereligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to render drapery folds and create atmospheric perspective in a landscape. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a believable setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and the landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the horizon line and the main shapes of the mountains and trees.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the sky, ground, and figures using thin washes.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the forms of the figures, focusing on the drapery folds.
step 05
Add details to the landscape, such as the rocks, trees, and distant mountains, using progressively lighter values to create atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Refine the details of the angel's wings and facial features.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · vermilion · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of blue and white for the angel's robe. Use a combination of red, yellow, and brown for the sleeping figure's cloak. Create atmospheric perspective by lightening and desaturating colors in the distance.

techniques