plate no. 9382

The Flight into Egypt (from Altar of Philip the Bold)

wood, temperaInternational Gothicreligious paintingfigureslandscapearchitecturereligious scenedonkeytrees

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering drapery folds, creating depth through atmospheric perspective, and understanding complex compositions with multiple focal points. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations and achieving smooth gradations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main compositional elements: architectural structure, figures, landscape.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the sky, landscape, and architectural elements.
step 03
Begin layering the landscape with darker tones in the background and lighter tones in the foreground to create depth.
step 04
Start defining the figures, paying close attention to the drapery folds and light/shadow patterns.
step 05
Add details to the architectural structure, including the arches, columns, and decorative elements.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures' faces and hands.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the halo, the donkey, and the small plants in the foreground.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · red ochre · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · ivory black

Achieve the blues by mixing ultramarine with white and a touch of black for shadows. The greens are created by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and white. The skin tones are a blend of white, red ochre, and a touch of raw umber.

techniques

·layering
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering drapery
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→overworking details too early
→not establishing a clear value structure
→using colors that are too saturated
→losing the overall composition in the details

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·gesso
·acrylic paints
·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 6)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine

optional

·palette knife
·retarder medium
·varnish

Using a smooth canvas will help achieve the smooth blends and subtle details of the original. Tempera paint is the original medium, but acrylics are more accessible for modern students.

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