plate no. 5489

Archangel Michael

oilInternational Gothicreligious paintingfigureangelswordarmordragonreligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering drapery, metallic textures, and stylized figures. It also provides practice in achieving a sense of depth through layering and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure's clothing and armor.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and details of the figure, paying attention to the folds in the drapery and the texture of the armor.
step 04
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 05
Carefully render the face and hands, paying attention to the subtle details of the features.
step 06
Paint the dragon at the feet of the angel, focusing on its scales and texture.
step 07
Add the gold details and embellishments, using a fine brush.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and enhance the luminosity.

color palette

primary · gold · red · blue · yellow

secondary · pink · black · brown

Achieve the gold tones by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt sienna and white. Create the pinks by mixing red with white. Use thin glazes of burnt umber to create shadows and depth.

techniques