plate no. 2608

San Juan Nepomuceno

oilRococoreligious paintingfigurereligiouscrossbookpalm frondclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting would help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes and atmospheric perspective.

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 and proportions of the figure, cross, and other objects.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and gradually build up the cloud forms.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure's clothing, skin tones, and the cross.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the lace cuffs and the small decorative elements on the robe.
step 06
Paint the palm frond, focusing on the delicate shapes and variations in color.
step 07
Refine the details of the cross and the figure of Christ, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use burnt umber and black for shadows, and white for highlights. Mix ultramarine blue and white for the blue cloth.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·blending

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags