plate no. 5966

The Annunciation under the Arch with Lilies

Maurice Denis, 1913

oil, canvasSymbolismreligious paintingfiguresarchitecturearchesliliesskyreligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, and in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the arches and figure placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the gold background, blue sky, and figures' clothing.
step 03
Layer in the mid-tones and shadows on the arches and figures to create form.
step 04
Add details to the sky, including the suggestion of buildings and clouds.
step 05
Paint the lilies and other plants, paying attention to their shapes and colors.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures' faces and hands.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall composition.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix various shades of blue by adding white and a touch of crimson to ultramarine. Create the gold background by mixing yellow ochre with burnt sienna and a touch of white.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·color mixing
·simplification of forms
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing
→Ignoring the overall composition and focusing too much on individual elements
→Not establishing a clear value structure

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, alizarin crimson, sap green)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)

optional