plate no. 7751

São Marcos Evangelista

oil, canvasNeoclassicismreligious paintingrockstreesfigurelionlandscapesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective, as well as understanding how to suggest details with loose, expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the rocks, figure, and lion, paying attention to their relative sizes and placement.
step 02
Block in the sky with a thin layer of light blue, leaving some areas unpainted for texture.
step 03
Establish the dark areas of the rocks and foliage with a mixture of burnt umber and black.
step 04
Add mid-tones to the rocks using a mixture of burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white, blending the edges softly.
step 05
Paint the figure and lion with simplified shapes and colors, focusing on capturing their gesture and form.
step 06
Add highlights to the rocks and foliage with lighter shades of yellow ochre and white, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the figure and lion, adding subtle shadows and highlights to create depth.
step 08
Glaze thin layers of color over the painting to unify the composition and enhance the atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · black · cadmium red

Mix browns and grays by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten values and blue to create cooler shadows.

techniques

·dry brushing
·layering
·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Creating too much contrast and flattening the sense of depth.
→Using pure colors without mixing them, resulting in an unnatural look.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value within the rocks and foliage.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue, black, cadmium red)
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·linseed oil
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags