plate no. 9782
Saint Thomas
Diego Velázquez, 1620
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting helps students understand chiaroscuro and how to model forms with light and shadow. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and skin tones with subtle variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, book, and staff.
- step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin wash of dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the robe with a mid-tone yellow-ochre.
- step 04
Begin adding highlights to the robe, using lighter shades of yellow and white.
- step 05
Model the face and hands, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 06
Refine the details of the book and staff.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final details and glazes to enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · ivory black
Mix yellow ochre with burnt umber to create the base tone for the robe. Add white to create highlights and black to deepen shadows. Use raw sienna for subtle variations in the robe's color.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·underpainting
- ·modeling
common pitfalls
- →Overblending, which can flatten the forms.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure incorrect.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the robe and skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints: yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, raw sienna, ivory black
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Medium (e.g., Liquin)
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground (e.g., burnt umber) to create a warmer base.
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