plate no. 0628

St Andrew

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresaintcrossrobebeardhalo

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, drapery rendering, and achieving depth through value and color variations. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of skin and fabric.

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 figure's pose and the placement of the cross.
step 02
Establish the background with dark, muted tones, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the robe and the flesh tones, using broad strokes.
step 04
Begin layering the colors of the robe, paying attention to the highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Develop the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the saint.
step 06
Add details to the cross, including the texture of the wood and any decorative elements.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious image.
step 08
Add final details such as the halo and any subtle highlights.

color palette

primary · red ochre · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · sap green

Mix red ochre and raw umber for the robe's base color, adding white for highlights and black for shadows. Use yellow ochre and sap green for the drapery, adjusting the proportions to create variations in tone.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·drapery study

common pitfalls

→Overblending colors, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast, leading to a lack of depth.
→Failing to capture the likeness and expression of the saint.
→Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall composition and values.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (red ochre, raw umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, sap green)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Rags