plate no. 3367

Saint Theobald offering an eleven branched lilium to Saint Louis and Marguerite of Provence

oilRococohistory paintingfiguresflowerslandscapetreecrossbuilding

experienced study

Recreating this painting would help students develop skills in figure painting, drapery rendering, and atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in creating a balanced composition with multiple focal points.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of figures, landscape elements, and the cross.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, focusing on the sky and distant building.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures' clothing and skin tones, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the faces, hands, and drapery, using smaller brushes and finer strokes.
step 05
Paint the flowers in the basket, focusing on their individual shapes and colors.
step 06
Add details to the landscape, such as the tree branches and ground cover.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the muted greens by mixing blue, yellow, and umber. Create depth in the clothing with layers of thin glazes.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·drapery rendering
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→overworking details too early
→inaccurate proportions of figures
→muddying colors by over-mixing
→ignoring the effect of light and shadow

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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