plate no. 2805

The Adoration of the Kings in the Snow

panel, temperaNorthern Renaissancegenre paintingwintervillagefiguressnowbuildingstrees

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in depicting atmospheric perspective and rendering complex scenes with many small figures. Students will also learn to mix muted tones and create a sense of depth through layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the buildings and the main groups of figures.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Begin layering in the darker values, defining the shapes of the buildings and figures.
step 04
Add the snow using a slightly lighter value of white mixed with a touch of brown or gray.
step 05
Develop the details of the figures, paying attention to their gestures and clothing.
step 06
Refine the details of the buildings, including the brickwork and the snow-covered roofs.
step 07
Add the bare trees and branches, using a fine brush.
step 08
Finish with the falling snow, using small dots of white paint.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · Prussian blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with small amounts of black or blue. Use white to create lighter values and to simulate the snow.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering small figures

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early.
→Making the colors too bright or saturated.
→Failing to establish a clear sense of depth.
→Not varying the size and shape of the snowflakes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
·flat brush (size 6)
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium gloss
·painting easel

Use a canvas with a fine weave to allow for detailed brushwork. Tempera is the original medium, but oil paint is more approachable for modern students.

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