plate no. 2015

Savior in the crown of thorns

Viktor Vasnetsov, 1906

oilRomanticismreligious paintingfigurereligiousportraitcrown of thornshalo

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal shading, capturing facial expressions, and creating a sense of depth using value contrast. It also provides practice in rendering textures like hair and woven materials.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, halo, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the drawing, such as the hair, beard, and shadows under the crown of thorns.
step 03
Begin to build up the mid-tones using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.
step 04
Focus on the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the expression.
step 05
Add details to the crown of thorns, carefully rendering the individual thorns and their shadows.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and form.
step 07
Soften edges where needed to blend tones and create a more natural look.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to complete the drawing.

color palette

primary · sepia · ivory black

secondary · raw umber · white

Mix sepia and ivory black to create a range of dark tones. Add white to lighten the tones for highlights and mid-tones. Raw umber can be used to add warmth to certain areas.

techniques