plate no. 6023

San Bruno

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigurereligious figurerobebookhaloglobe

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering fabric folds, and creating atmospheric perspective through value and color variations. It also provides practice in achieving a sense of depth and volume using chiaroscuro.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic figure proportions and composition, paying attention to the placement of the head, hands, and book.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, warm undertone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the robe with a mid-tone off-white, leaving room for highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin layering in the shadows on the robe, using thin glazes of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 05
Add highlights to the robe, gradually building up lighter tones with titanium white mixed with small amounts of yellow ochre.
step 06
Paint the face, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes to create form.
step 07
Add details like the book, halo, star, and globe, paying attention to their textures and colors.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final details to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Achieve the off-white of the robe by mixing titanium white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber. Create shadows by glazing burnt umber and raw sienna over the base color. Use cadmium red for the book.

techniques