plate no. 1040

The Annunciation

John William Waterhouse, 1914

oil, canvasRomanticismreligious paintingfiguresangelgardenarchitecturereligious sceneflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of atmosphere through color and soft edges. It also provides practice in depicting complex scenes with multiple elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the architecture.
step 02
Block in the main color areas, starting with the background and then moving to the figures.
step 03
Develop the values and forms of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the architecture and the garden, such as the stones, plants, and flowers.
step 05
Refine the drapery folds and the facial features of the figures.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · viridian · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of purple by combining ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson. Use yellow ochre and white to create warm highlights. Add burnt umber to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques

·figure drawing
·drapery rendering
·glazing
·soft blending
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Making the colors too bright or saturated.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt umber, viridian, cadmium red light)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags