plate no. 3721
The Donor, from the right wing of the Diptych of Maerten van Nieuwenhove
Hans Memling, 1487
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including rendering realistic skin tones and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in depicting textures and details, such as fabric folds and architectural elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main shapes and composition.
- step 02
Block in the background elements, including the window and architectural details.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and values of the face and hands.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions and realistic skin texture.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
- step 06
Paint the book and other objects on the table, focusing on texture and form.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism.
color palette
primary · flesh tones (various mixes of white, yellow ochre, and red) · browns (burnt umber, raw umber) · blues (ultramarine blue, cerulean blue)
secondary · reds (alizarin crimson, cadmium red) · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve realistic skin tones by gradually layering thin washes of color. Mix browns with blues and reds to create rich, dark shadows.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·rendering fine details
common pitfalls
- →overmixing colors resulting in muddy tones
- →inaccurate proportions in the figure
- →neglecting subtle value changes in the skin
- →overworking details too early in the process
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
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