plate no. 1565

The Visitation

Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1910

oilRealismreligious paintingfiguresinteriortablefruitreligious scenelight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and shadow to create depth and form, as well as how to blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the table.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the background with muted browns and greens, using loose brushstrokes.
step 04
Begin painting the figures, starting with the darker values and gradually adding highlights.
step 05
Paint the table and still life, paying attention to the way the light reflects off the objects.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures and the still life, adding subtle color variations.
step 07
Soften the edges of the forms to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium orange · viridian green

Mix browns and greens by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix orange with white and yellow for the fruit.

techniques