plate no. 2214

The Madonna of the Fish (The Madonna with the Archangel Gabriel and St. Jerome)

oil, canvasHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresreligiousdraperybookangelchild

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and achieving subtle color transitions through glazing. It also provides practice in creating a balanced and harmonious composition 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 establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering colors, focusing on the skin tones and drapery.
step 04
Develop the details of the faces, hands, and book.
step 05
Refine the drapery folds and shadows, paying attention to the light source.
step 06
Add the background and subtle details like the fish and lion.
step 07
Glaze over the painting to unify the colors and create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the deep blues of the Madonna's robe. Mix burnt sienna and alizarin crimson for the reds in the angel's robe.

techniques