plate no. 8093

Saint Catherine

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfiguresainthalocrowndraperyportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as understanding how to depict fabric folds and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the oval composition and the figure's basic pose, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, drapery, background, and halo.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle gradations of color to create form and light.
step 04
Develop the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, ensuring accurate placement and expression.
step 06
Refine the halo and crown, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Adjust the background to create contrast and depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · ivory black

Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and viridian green to create the cooler tones in the drapery.

techniques