plate no. 9090

Virgin and Child

oilAcademicismreligious paintingfiguremotherchildlandscapeskyrocks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating atmospheric perspective in landscapes. It also provides practice in achieving smooth gradations of color and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figures and landscape.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, focusing on the atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Roughly sketch the figures, paying attention to their poses and proportions.
step 04
Start building up the values and details of the figures, working from dark to light.
step 05
Carefully render the drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Refine the facial features and expressions of the figures.
step 07
Add details to the landscape, such as rocks and vegetation.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · raw sienna

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Create atmospheric perspective by adding white and blue to the landscape colors.

techniques

·figure drawing
·drapery rendering
·atmospheric perspective
·glazing
·blending

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of figures
→Overly harsh or muddy colors
→Lack of attention to detail in drapery
→Ignoring atmospheric perspective
→Uneven skin tones

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints: titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red, raw sienna
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife