plate no. 1200

Suffer the Children

oilAcademicismreligious paintingfigureschildrenreligious scenearchitecturedraperygroup portrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in mixing subtle skin tones and capturing realistic textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the wall and doorway.
step 03
Begin painting the figures, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details.
step 04
Focus on accurately capturing the skin tones and facial features of each figure.
step 05
Render the drapery, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the background, such as the texture of the wall and the patterns in the fabric.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · red · blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, red, and white, with small amounts of burnt umber for shadows. Create the gray drapery by mixing black and white, with a touch of blue or brown for warmth.

techniques

·figure drawing
·drapery rendering
·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figures.
→Overly saturated colors.
→Flat, lifeless skin tones.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (red, blue, yellow ochre, burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags