plate no. 0901

The Flood

oil, panelNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresfloodarkcloudsanimalsreligious scene

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, creating dramatic lighting effects, and rendering complex textures in oil paint. It also encourages careful observation of anatomy and composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and the ark.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, focusing on the dramatic sky and light rays.
step 03
Begin painting the ark, paying attention to the details of its structure and ornamentation.
step 04
Start building up the figures in the foreground, working from general shapes to more refined details.
step 05
Focus on capturing the expressions and gestures of the figures to convey the chaos of the flood.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the figures and the ark.
step 07
Refine the details of the water and debris, using layering and glazing techniques.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · red ochre · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · raw umber

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red ochre, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use viridian green and black to create the dark, stormy clouds. Mix various shades of brown and green for the water and debris.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·figure drawing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere through proper value and color relationships.
→Inaccurately rendering the anatomy of the figures.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (red ochre, ivory black, titanium white, viridian green, yellow ochre, raw umber)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags