plate no. 1316

The Savior Blessing

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigurereligiouscrossglobeportraitdrapery

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations. It also offers practice in rendering drapery and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and the placement of the cross and globe.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and gradually build up the darker values.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, cross, and globe with their respective base colors.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions and define the form of the figure.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the highlights and shadows on the figure's face and clothing.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, hands, and drapery, adding subtle highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add the details of the cross and globe, paying attention to the texture and reflections.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ultramarine blue, and titanium white. Achieve the pinkish hue of the robe by mixing alizarin crimson with titanium white, and adjust the tone with a touch of raw umber.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Inaccurate proportions of the figure.
→Creating harsh transitions between light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags