plate no. 8539

Rebecca and Eliezer at the Well

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigureswelllandscapearchitectureclothinganimals

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to mix realistic skin tones and create highlights and shadows.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Develop the details of the figures, paying attention to anatomy and drapery.
step 05
Refine the background and add atmospheric perspective.
step 06
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, adding small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Create shadows by adding ultramarine blue and ivory black to the base skin tone.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·underpainting
·drapery

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong light source.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags