plate no. 7256

Saint John of God

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresangelreligiousrobesdark backgroundrescue

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model forms using light and shadow. It also provides practice in painting drapery and human figures in dynamic poses.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the main figures and their relative positions.
step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin layer of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light on the angel's robe and the other figure's clothing.
step 04
Gradually build up the highlights and shadows, focusing on the forms of the figures.
step 05
Pay close attention to the transitions between light and shadow to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and hands.
step 07
Add the blue sash on the angel.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and edges to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and white for the angel's robe, adding small amounts of burnt umber for shadows. Mix ultramarine blue with white for the sash.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·blending
·figure drawing
·drapery study

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Over-blending, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
→Getting the proportions of the figures incorrect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, ultramarine blue, raw sienna)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags