plate no. 0861
The Rest on the Flight to Egypt with Saint Francis
Correggio, 1517
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery painting, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to mix subtle skin tones and render soft, diffused light.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 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 building up the forms with layers of paint, focusing on the light and shadow.
- step 04
Develop the skin tones using a limited palette and subtle blending techniques.
- step 05
Paint the drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 06
Add details to the faces and hands, capturing the expressions of the figures.
- step 07
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create the darker tones in the background and shadows.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·sfumato
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the paint and losing the freshness of the initial layers.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the figures.
- →Muddying the colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the subtle gradations of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#4 filbert brush
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
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