plate no. 6385

Saint Veronica with the Veil

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigureveilreligiousportraitclothface

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to create depth using light and shadow. It will also develop skills in rendering fabric and capturing emotional expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the veil.
step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin layer of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and hands using a limited palette of browns and whites.
step 04
Begin to define the folds and drapery of the veil, paying close attention to how light interacts with the fabric.
step 05
Add the subtle blue undertones in the shadows of the veil and clothing.
step 06
Paint the face on the cloth using a diluted burnt sienna and umber mixture, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, hands, and fabric, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, burnt umber, and a touch of yellow ochre. The veil is created by layering thin washes of white and grey. The face on the cloth is a diluted burnt sienna and umber mix.

techniques