St. Lawrence Enthroned with Saints and Donors by Filippo Lippi

plate no. 5523

St. Lawrence Enthroned with Saints and Donors

Filippo Lippi, 1453

wood, temperaEarly Renaissancereligious paintingfiguressaintsthronereligiousgold leafdonors

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and the application of gold leaf. It also provides experience with hierarchical scale and symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

3

brushwork visibility

2

value contrast

3

compositional simplicity

3

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the painting surface with gesso.
step 02
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition and figures.
step 03
Apply gold leaf to the background and halos.
step 04
Underpaint the figures and throne with thin layers of tempera.
step 05
Build up the colors in the drapery, using layering and blending techniques.
step 06
Add details to the faces, hands, and throne.
step 07
Define the outlines and add highlights.
step 08
Apply a protective varnish.

color palette

primary · gold · red · blue · green

secondary · pink · yellow · brown

Achieve the subtle color variations by layering thin washes of tempera. Mix red and white for pink tones, and use yellow ochre to create the gold effect.

techniques

·tempera layering
·gilding
·figure drawing
·drapery rendering
·hierarchical scale

common pitfalls

→overworking the tempera
→uneven gold leaf application
→inaccurate proportions
→muddy color mixing

materials

surface · wood panel prepared with gesso

required

·wood panel
·gesso
·gold leaf
·tempera paints
·fine brushes
·burnishing tool
·varnish

optional

·palette knife
·egg yolk (for tempera)
·mortar and pestle

Use genuine gold leaf for an authentic look. Experiment with different tempera recipes to find one that suits your style.

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