plate no. 8570

Saint Francis Borgia Helping a Dying Impenitent

oilRomanticismreligious paintingfigurebeddemonsreligious sceneinteriorcross

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and drapery, as well as understanding dramatic lighting and creating a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch outlining the main figures and composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Refine the shapes and forms of the figures, paying attention to anatomy and proportions.
step 04
Begin adding details to the faces and hands, using small brushes and subtle color variations.
step 05
Develop the drapery and bedding, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Paint the demons in the background, focusing on their grotesque features and expressions.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the cross, the bottle, and the light streaming in from the window.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of brown and grey for the figures and background. Use glazes of red and yellow to create the warm light and shadows. Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create highlights.

techniques