plate no. 2402
Susanna and the Elders
Hendrick Goltzius, 1595
oil, canvasMannerism (Late Renaissance)religious paintingfiguredraperyfoliagereligious scenemale figurefemale figure
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, rendering skin tones with subtle gradations, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin to develop the skin tones, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Paint the drapery, creating folds and highlights to add depth.
- step 06
Develop the background foliage, using darker values to create a sense of distance.
- step 07
Add final details, such as the jewelry and the texture of the fur.
- step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and burnt sienna, with small amounts of red and yellow ochre for warmth. Darken shadows with ivory black and ultramarine blue.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·underpainting
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to create a strong sense of depth in the background.
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Not paying enough attention to the details of the faces.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next.
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