plate no. 8351

Saint Sergius' labours (left part of the triptych)

oilSymbolismreligious paintingfigurelandscapebucketsrobehalotrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a landscape and understanding atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting textures of fabric and wood using visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the figure's placement and the landscape's perspective.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the background, starting with the sky and distant hills, using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the local colors of the figure's robe, cloak, and buckets, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the figure's face and hands, using subtle color variations and soft blending.
step 05
Add texture to the landscape with short, broken brushstrokes, varying the colors and values to create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the figure's clothing and the buckets, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 07
Paint the halo around the figure's head with a soft, diffused glow.
step 08
Add final touches, such as small details in the foreground and subtle atmospheric effects in the background.

color palette

primary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ivory black

Achieve the muted greens by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and a touch of burnt umber. Create the atmospheric blues by layering ultramarine blue with white and a hint of violet.

techniques