plate no. 2471

Saint Ana

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresbooksreligious scenegroup portraitold ageshadows

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and capturing expressions, as well as understanding dramatic lighting and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color, focusing on accurate skin tones and drapery folds.
step 04
Develop the details of the faces, paying close attention to the eyes and mouths.
step 05
Refine the lighting and shadows to create a sense of depth and drama.
step 06
Add details to the books and other objects in the foreground.
step 07
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a smooth finish.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth and ultramarine blue for cool shadows. Use glazes of burnt umber and ivory black to create depth in the shadows.

techniques