plate no. 6529

Saint Matthew the Apostle

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguremaleaxedraperyportraitreligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and drapery folds with subtle gradations. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using chiaroscuro.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, focusing on proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin, drapery, and axe.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds, paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the axe, focusing on its metallic texture.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · sap green

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, burnt sienna, and a touch of red and yellow ochre. Create the dark drapery by mixing black, umber, and a hint of green. Use white to create highlights and add depth.

techniques