plate no. 9035

The Messenger of Tethra

John Duncan, 1910

oilSymbolismmythological paintingfiguremythologybirdsfoliagecrownlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabrics, and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering fine details like jewelry and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions of the figure and placement of key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a base layer of blues and purples, blending to create a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, hair, and clothing, using simplified color blocks.
step 04
Develop the skin tones with subtle layers of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the hair, crown, and jewelry, adding texture and highlights.
step 06
Paint the foliage and birds, focusing on their shapes and colors.
step 07
Add the details of the clothing, including the patterns and folds.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · purple

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding touches of purple for depth. Mix viridian green and yellow ochre for the foliage.

techniques