plate no. 5061
Virgin and Child
Robert Campin, 1410
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic drapery and understanding the use of light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in depicting human figures and complex patterns.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 40 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare the surface with a smooth gesso layer.
- step 02
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures and composition.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas, focusing on the background pattern first.
- step 04
Begin layering the drapery, paying close attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 05
Paint the figures, starting with the underpainting and gradually adding details.
- step 06
Add the details of the halos and any other decorative elements.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Apply a final varnish layer to protect the painting.
color palette
primary · red · gold · white · blue
secondary · brown · green · grey · black
Achieve the subtle variations in the drapery by mixing white with small amounts of brown, grey, and yellow. The gold is achieved with yellow ochre and burnt sienna. The red in the background is a mix of cadmium red and burnt umber.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·rendering drapery
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the figures.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value that create form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (red, gold, white, blue, brown, green, grey, black)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (small round, flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·gesso
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·drying medium
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to speed up drying time.
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