plate no. 1023

The Rest of the Flight into Egypt

oilNorthern Renaissancereligious paintinglandscapefiguretreesmountainsvillagesky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and rendering complex landscapes with intricate details. It will also improve their ability to depict figures within a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, the large rock formation, and the horizon line.
step 02
Establish the background with a light wash of blues and greens, creating atmospheric perspective by making distant elements lighter and less detailed.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the rock formation, using a range of browns and grays, and begin to define the details of the buildings and structures on the rock.
step 04
Paint the trees and foliage, using a variety of greens and browns to create depth and texture.
step 05
Begin working on the figure, starting with the basic shapes and gradually adding details to the face, hands, and clothing.
step 06
Refine the details of the landscape, adding small elements such as houses, bridges, and figures to create a sense of scale and depth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create contrast and dimension, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 08
Add final details, such as the basket, the white cloth, and the bird.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green · ivory black

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow, and create muted tones by adding small amounts of complementary colors. Achieve atmospheric perspective by lightening colors with white and adding a touch of blue as they recede into the distance.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering drapery
·figure painting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the background, which can flatten the image.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Inaccurately rendering the proportions of the figure.
→Using colors that are too saturated, which can make the painting look unnatural.