plate no. 1178

Saint Andrew and Saint Thomas

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligiousfishdraperybeardshands

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro, portraiture, and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in depicting complex drapery and creating a dramatic mood through lighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the fish.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of burnt umber and black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figures, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, using layers of thin glazes to create depth and luminosity.
step 05
Pay close attention to the details of the faces, capturing the expressions and individual characteristics of each figure.
step 06
Render the drapery, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 07
Add details to the fish, paying attention to the scales and the way the light reflects off its surface.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors to create a cohesive and dramatic effect.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black for shadows, and raw sienna for mid-tones. Create depth by layering thin glazes of color.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·portraiture
·drapery study
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and shadow areas.
→Neglecting the details of the faces, resulting in a lack of character and expression.
→Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions and anatomy.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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