plate no. 4652

St. Anthony of Padua

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigurebabymonkbuildinglandscapeflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro, portraiture, and rendering fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere using value and color.

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 of the figures and the background elements.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the monk's robe and the baby's form, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face and hands, using subtle gradations of tone.
step 05
Develop the folds and highlights in the robe, creating a sense of volume and texture.
step 06
Add the details of the background landscape and the flowers.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final glazes to enhance the depth and richness of the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Achieve the flesh tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red light. The robe is primarily a mix of burnt umber, raw umber, and ivory black, lightened with titanium white for highlights.

techniques