plate no. 7560

Doubting Thomas with St. Magnus

oil, panelHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresarchitectureskylandscapereligious sceneclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in mixing subtle color variations and creating a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background landscape and sky, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Establish the basic values and colors of the figures, paying attention to the light source and shadows.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the figures, including facial features, drapery folds, and hand gestures.
step 05
Work on the architectural details, such as the archway and columns, using precise lines and shading.
step 06
Develop the textures of the clothing and skin, using layering and blending techniques.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add a subtle sheen.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Create the sky by blending ultramarine blue and titanium white, adding small amounts of burnt umber for clouds.

techniques