plate no. 9775

Suffer the Little Children

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigureschildrenarchitecturedogsreligious scenedrapery

advanced study

Recreating this painting would develop skills in complex figure drawing, rendering of drapery folds, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to manage a large and complex composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 60 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on rendering the figures, paying attention to anatomy and proportions.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds, using light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as columns and arches.
step 06
Refine the color palette, mixing subtle variations to create depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the figures and drapery.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black for shadows, and add blue to darken colors and create depth.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of figures.
→Overworking the details too early.
→Muddying the colors by overmixing.
→Failing to create a sense of depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 24x36
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette knife
·rags