plate no. 2305
Martyrdom of Saint Bartolomeo
Luca Giordano, 1660
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, anatomy, and dramatic lighting. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery folds.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures and composition.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using broad strokes of dark brown and black.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figure, focusing on the overall form.
- step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
- step 05
Add details to the face, hands, and drapery, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 06
Paint the angels with soft, blended strokes, creating a sense of ethereal lightness.
- step 07
Refine the background and add any final details.
- step 08
Add the halo using a light yellow or white.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · cadmium red light
Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Darken shadows with ivory black and burnt umber.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·figure drawing
- ·drapery rendering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the dramatic contrast between light and shadow.
- →Inaccurately rendering the anatomy of the figure.
- →Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to simplify the process of establishing the dark background.
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