plate no. 7273

The Convent Choir

oil, panelRealismgenre paintingnunschoirchurch interiorfiguresmusicreligious

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures in complex lighting and understanding how to create depth using subtle color variations and value shifts.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the background tones with thin washes of color, paying attention to the light source and its effect on the walls and floor.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes of the nuns' habits and faces, using a limited palette of browns, blacks, and whites.
step 04
Develop the details of the faces, focusing on capturing the subtle expressions and individual features.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to the habits to create a sense of volume and depth.
step 06
Paint the details of the organ and other objects in the scene, paying attention to their textures and materials.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a harmonious and balanced image.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to enhance the realism and depth of the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and black by combining raw umber, ivory black, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use titanium white to create highlights and lighter tones, and yellow ochre to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques