plate no. 4953
San José Y El Niño Jesús
José Luzán, 1750
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, particularly drapery and proportions, as well as atmospheric perspective in the background. It also provides an opportunity to practice blending and glazing techniques to achieve soft transitions.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the background landscape with a thin wash of color, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with simplified color masses.
- step 04
Begin refining the figures, focusing on the drapery folds and anatomical details.
- step 05
Develop the light and shadow, using glazing techniques to create soft transitions.
- step 06
Add details to the faces and hands, paying attention to expression and gesture.
- step 07
Refine the background, adding details to the trees and sky.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to create cooler tones in the shadows and background. Mix cadmium red light with white to create the pinkish tones in the child's clothing.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating harsh transitions between light and shadow.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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