plate no. 7081

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

panel, temperaEarly Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresarchitecturereligious scenecolumnsarchestemple

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice figure drawing and drapery, as well as linear perspective to create depth in the architectural setting. Students can also learn about color harmony and creating a sense of light and shadow with a limited palette.

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 the placement of figures and the architectural structure.
step 02
Establish the perspective lines for the arches and columns to create depth.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the figures, using thin washes of tempera or acrylic.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and shadows on the figures, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the column capitals and arches.
step 06
Paint the halos using gold or a similar metallic color.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · ivory black · red ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · gold

Mix raw sienna with white for the walls and architecture. Use red ochre for the robes, and mix ivory black with ultramarine for the darker garments. Create gold tones by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques

·linear perspective
·figure drawing
·drapery study
·glazing
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect perspective will flatten the image.
→Overworking the details too early can muddy the colors.
→Inaccurate proportions in the figures will detract from the overall composition.
→Ignoring the light source will result in flat, unrealistic shadows.

materials

surface · gessoed wood panel

required

·stretched canvas or wood panel
·gesso
·acrylic or tempera paints
·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
·flat brush (size 6)
·palette
·water or medium for thinning paints
·pencil

optional

·palette knife
·retarder medium
·varnish

A smooth surface is ideal for achieving the fine details and subtle color gradations in this style of painting. Using a gessoed panel will provide a stable and archival surface.

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