plate no. 3849

The Virgin with Infant

wood, temperaNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfigurereligiousinteriorwindowbookdrapery

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing realistic skin tones and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the Virgin, the infant, the window, and the book.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the background, drapery, and skin tones.
step 03
Begin layering the red drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 04
Carefully render the face and hands of the Virgin, focusing on subtle shading.
step 05
Paint the infant, paying attention to the proportions and soft skin tones.
step 06
Add details to the book, window, and background to create depth.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · red · white · brown

secondary · gold · yellow · blue

Achieve the rich red of the drapery by mixing a deep red with a touch of brown and a hint of yellow for highlights. Create skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and brown.

techniques