plate no. 2588

The Nativity

oil, panelHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresbabyreligious sceneinteriornativityclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to create a focal point using light. It will also improve their ability to paint figures in complex poses and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a dark umber wash.
step 02
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the light source.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the figures and drapery with dark, muted colors.
step 04
Begin to build up the highlights on the figures, using lighter tones of the base colors.
step 05
Carefully blend the highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and depth.
step 06
Add details to the faces and hands, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 07
Refine the drapery folds and add texture to the background.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the luminosity.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the dark shadows by mixing umber and black. Use glazes of red and blue to add depth to the drapery.

techniques