The second highlight (except the flesh)

This stage is intermediate, before the final highlight is made. This last layer is done only when all the highlights of the icon are finished – including those of the flesh. It is necessary to wait to have global control and a uniform dosage of light throughout the picture...

The second highlight is done, basically, with a constant mixture of titanium white (40%) and white lead (60%). Brushing is the easiest way to apply this layer: reduce the highlighted areas, in relation to the first ones applied, with a dry brush. Then stump delicately with a mixture of emulsion and water (50 / 50) and a dry, not very loaded, brush. It is also possible to do this highlight using the "petit lac" method...

The left Angel

Make a mixture of titanium white and white lead with a touch of cobalt blue. Make a soft brushing in order to create a progressive transition between the highlighted areas, without covering completely the first layer...

The right Angel

Mix titanium white and white lead with a touch of veronese green. Work as if you were doing the final "enlivening lines", but apply wider strokes and then stump a little...

Please note: while writing these pages, we realized that the highlight on this angel was too strong . Therefore, we reduced the force of the white making a soft local glazing - egg / water - with a little bit of yellow ochre and green. The difference will be visible on the following pages..

The blue garment

Make a mixture of titanium white, white lead and a point of cobalt blue. Don't use too much titanium white and be sure to control the strength of the white. It is better to make a "step by step" highlighting - stumping a little between each layer - rather than applying a strong highlight which could mark the garment for good... When stumping, also introduce a little bit of cobalt blue in the mixture emulsion / water.

The mountain

As for the mountain, it is the last highlight... Use almost pure titanium white and reduce the highlighted area to the outer edge of the rocks.

The house

For the house this will also be the last highlight... Use almost pure titanium white (mix it with a touch of yellow ochre or veronese green for example)... and reduce the width of your brush strokes.