plate no. 1156

Saint Anthony of Padua with child

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigurechildrobeskylandscapehalo

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, drapery, and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures.
step 02
Establish the background sky and landscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and shadows in the robe, paying attention to light direction.
step 05
Refine the facial features and skin tones of the figures, using subtle blending techniques.
step 06
Add details such as the halo, rope, and the child's globe.
step 07
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Create the robe's color by mixing raw umber and burnt sienna with varying amounts of white.

techniques