plate no. 1137
San Marcos
Francesco Ribalta, 1627
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro and rendering realistic textures with visible brushstrokes. It also offers practice in depicting complex forms like the human figure and animal anatomy in a dimly lit environment.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, lion, and table.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the major color areas, starting with the darkest shadows.
- step 04
Begin building up the form of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face and hands.
- step 05
Develop the details of the book and writing materials.
- step 06
Work on the lion, using dry brush techniques to create the texture of the fur.
- step 07
Refine the background and add subtle highlights to create depth.
- step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red light
Achieve the warm browns by mixing burnt umber with raw sienna and a touch of yellow ochre. Use ivory black to create deep shadows and titanium white to create highlights. Add a touch of cadmium red light to warm up the skin tones.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·underpainting
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure or lion wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of light and shadow.
- →Using too much color and creating a painting that is too bright.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a smooth surface to allow for subtle blending. Consider using a toned ground to help establish the overall value structure.
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