plate no. 0168

The Adoration of the Shepherds

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfiguresbabyreligious scenelightshadowcloth

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model forms using light and shadow. It also provides practice in rendering realistic figures and drapery.

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 figures and the light source.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a thin wash of dark brown or umber.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for each figure and the background.
step 04
Begin building up the light areas, focusing on the highlights on the baby and the faces.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces and hands, paying close attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 06
Develop the drapery folds, using a combination of light and shadow to create depth.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the warm, glowing light by mixing raw sienna and white, and create shadows by adding burnt umber and black. Use glazes of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to add depth to the fabrics.

techniques