plate no. 7633
Saint Paul
Jusepe de Ribera, 1637
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro, portraiture, and rendering drapery folds. It also provides practice in creating a dramatic and moody atmosphere.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin wash of dark brown.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and hands using a limited palette.
- step 04
Begin building up the drapery, paying close attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the expression and likeness.
- step 06
Add details to the book and other elements, maintaining the overall tonal balance.
- step 07
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to enhance the depth and richness.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red light
secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre
Achieve the skin tones by mixing raw sienna, cadmium red light, and a touch of burnt umber. Darken the shadows with burnt umber and ivory black. Mix cadmium red light with burnt umber and a touch of yellow ochre to create the robe's color.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·portraiture
- ·drapery rendering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure
- →Inaccurate proportions of the figure
- →Not blending the edges of the shadows smoothly
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 filbert brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·damar varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the dark background.
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