plate no. 6049

Christ embracing Saint Bernard

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenecrucifixdraperyhuman anatomydark background

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering human anatomy with light and shadow, as well as creating realistic drapery folds. It also provides practice in building up layers of paint to achieve depth and luminosity.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and the cross.
step 02
Establish the dark background using thin washes of dark brown and black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figures, focusing on the overall form.
step 04
Start building up the drapery of Saint Bernard's robe, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Refine the anatomy of Christ, focusing on the musculature and subtle shifts in value.
step 06
Add details to the faces, capturing the expressions and individual features.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to enhance the luminosity and depth of the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the piece.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm skin tones, and add a touch of cadmium red light for highlights.

techniques