plate no. 0898

Santa Teresa

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresangelscloudsreligiousskychildren

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and their relative positions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the basic shapes and colors of the figures, using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the highlights and shadows on the figures.
step 04
Refine the details of the faces, hands, and clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 05
Paint the background sky and clouds, using soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the smaller figures of angels and cherubs in the background.
step 07
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and enhance the depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · white · green · gold

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, red, and white, with touches of burnt umber for shadows. Create the sky by blending blue and white, and use glazes of red and brown to create the warm tones in the clouds.

techniques