plate no. 6197

Life of St Benedict, Scene 15. Benedict Fishes the Pieces of a Broken Ax (detail)

frescoHigh Renaissancereligious paintinglandscapefigureswatertreesbridgearchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as painting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the landmasses, water, and figures.
step 02
Establish the sky and water with thin washes of color, creating a sense of atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the larger shapes of the trees and foliage, using a limited palette of greens and blues.
step 04
Add details to the architecture and bridge, paying attention to perspective.
step 05
Paint the figures, focusing on their poses and interactions with the environment.
step 06
Refine the details of the foliage and water, adding highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix blues and umbers with white to create the muted tones of the sky and water. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the warm tones of the land and architecture.

techniques