plate no. 9799

Martyrdom of St John the Evangelist at Porta Latina

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresmartyrdomreligious scenearchitecturecherubshistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, anatomy, and creating dynamic compositions with multiple figures. It also provides practice in rendering dramatic lighting and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on establishing the light source and creating a sense of depth through value contrast.
step 04
Develop the figures, paying close attention to anatomy and proportions.
step 05
Add details to the faces and clothing, using small brushes.
step 06
Refine the background elements, such as the architecture and sky.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and form.
step 08
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows. Mix cadmium red and titanium white for the cherubs.

techniques