plate no. 8801

Saint George

oil, panelHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresaintarmorlandscapestaffhalo

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding chiaroscuro to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark colors.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, hair, armor, and staff.
step 04
Begin layering values on the face to create form and highlight features.
step 05
Develop the details of the armor, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 07
Add details to the background landscape, keeping it soft and muted.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the skin tones. Use black and white to create a range of values for the armor. Add a touch of red to the skin tones for warmth.

techniques