plate no. 3719

Saint Benedict

oil, canvasMannerism (Late Renaissance)religious paintingfigurereligious figurerobestaffportraitmale

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering textures, such as the fabric of the robe and the metallic details of the staff.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and staff.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of muted blues and grays.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the robe, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 04
Begin to build up the skin tones of the face and hands, using thin layers of paint.
step 05
Add highlights to the face, hands, and staff to create dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Paint the details of the staff, including the gold and silver elements.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Achieve skin tones by blending yellow ochre, titanium white, and a touch of burnt umber. Create the gold color by mixing cadmium yellow light with burnt umber and a touch of raw sienna.

techniques