plate no. 0683

The Bourbon Altarpiece (The Moulins Triptych)

oil, panelNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresreligious sceneangelsportraitsaltarpieceroyalty

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering complex compositions with multiple figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to map out the composition and proportions of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Underpaint the entire canvas with a thin layer of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes and colors of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and basic values.
step 04
Begin layering colors, starting with the darkest values and gradually adding highlights.
step 05
Pay close attention to the drapery, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces, hands, and other important features.
step 07
Add the details of the background elements, such as the architectural details and the surrounding figures.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and enhance the depth.

color palette

primary · red · blue · gold · white

secondary · brown · black · ochre · grey

Achieve the rich reds by mixing crimson with a touch of burnt sienna. Create the blues by mixing ultramarine with white for lighter shades. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the gold tones.

techniques