plate no. 0136
Saint Francis
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle tonal variations and creating a sense of depth using chiaroscuro. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, hands, and lily.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and robe, using darker values.
- step 04
Begin layering lighter values to define the form of the face and hands.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Add details to the robe and lily, using subtle color variations.
- step 07
Glaze the entire painting with a thin layer of burnt umber to unify the colors.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw umber, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre to add warmth. Darken areas with ivory black.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·tonal painting
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle tonal variations in the skin.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20)
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a smooth surface to facilitate blending. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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