plate no. 2730

The Virgin and Child in the company of little St. John and his parents

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenebirdcagelambdraperyfamily

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering realistic skin tones with subtle gradations. It also provides practice in creating a focal point through the use of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 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 skin tones, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Paint the birdcage and lamb, adding details to create texture and realism.
step 06
Refine the facial features and expressions of the figures.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and contrast to create a sense of depth and drama.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use umber and black for shadows, and add blue to darken the drapery.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of light and shadow.
→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Ignoring the subtle details that bring the painting to life.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags