plate no. 4118
The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon
Edward Poynter, 1890
advanced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex architectural details, depicting figures in various poses, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and fabric textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
1
study guide
est. 60 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and perspective.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the architecture and figures.
- step 03
Begin refining the details of the columns, throne, and other architectural elements.
- step 04
Develop the figures, paying attention to anatomy, drapery, and facial expressions.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 06
Work on the background figures and details, softening their edges to create atmospheric perspective.
- step 07
Refine the overall color harmony and adjust values as needed.
- step 08
Add final details and touches to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · viridian
Achieve the warm, golden tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool shadows and atmospheric effects. Mix viridian with yellow ochre for the peacock feathers.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·rendering
common pitfalls
- →Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Overworking the figures and making them look stiff.
- →Inconsistent lighting and values.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt sienna, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, ivory black, viridian)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a warm underpainting.
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