plate no. 2253

San Rocco

oilHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresaintreligioushalostaffrobe

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding drapery and fabric folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and the placement of the staff and drapery.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: skin tones, robe, tunic, background.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the play of light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the drapery, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 05
Add details to the tunic, including the belt, fastenings, and any decorative elements.
step 06
Paint the staff, using a range of brown and gold tones to create a realistic effect.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle details and textures.
step 08
Add the halo using gold paint or leaf, and make final adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · sap green

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · gold

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, and umber. Achieve the green by mixing sap green and raw umber. Use yellow ochre to warm the red for the robe.

techniques

·portraiture
·drapery
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and volume in the drapery.
→Making the colors too bright or saturated.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, sap green, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags