plate no. 5442

San Ambrosio

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigurerobebookshammerhatinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering fabric textures, and creating a sense of depth through chiaroscuro. It also offers practice in painting still life elements within a larger composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main shapes and composition.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the figure's face and hands.
step 04
Begin layering the robe, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 05
Paint the books and other still life elements, paying attention to their form and texture.
step 06
Add details to the hat and other decorative elements.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve the dark, rich tones by mixing burnt umber and ivory black. Use white to create highlights and add small amounts of red or yellow to warm up the shadows.

techniques