Leonardo da Vinci's angel that can be seen within his masterpiece, the Virgin of the Rocks is arguably more difficult to paint than his more renowned piece, the Mona Lisa.

One only has to view this exquisite portrait painting to see why. The angel's face is not only inclined, but orientated in a three-quarter view, posing challenges in rendering her features. The lighting is subtle yet full of drama and colour. Shadows shift in ethereal ways; greens and crimsons condense between light and shadow. And the hair resembles spun gold. How can the developing portraitist take on such a challenge?

This book offers guidance via a breakdown of this project into manageable pieces, providing an invaluable experience for any portraitist.

The chief section of this book comprises step by step images and instructions on how the angel was completed.

Find also an in-depth section on overcoming common pitfalls when rendering the three-quarter portrait view, guidance on the art materials and conducting the underpainting.
Also explored is shading technique, colour blending, glazing systems, sfumato application and achieving high detail. A troubleshooting guide and glossary are also included.

A challenging yet rewarding project on achieving Da Vinci's early Renaissance style by the use of modern and simple art materials.