plate no. 4801
St. Antony of Padua
El Greco, 1577
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to create form using subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering drapery and creating a focal point through light and composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, book, and flower.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and robe with mid-tone values.
- step 04
Begin building up the highlights on the face, hands, and robe, using lighter shades of ochre and white.
- step 05
Add details to the book, including the text and the small image.
- step 06
Paint the flower, paying attention to the delicate petals and stem.
- step 07
Refine the shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and white. Use yellow ochre to add warmth to the highlights. Add small amounts of black to darken the shadows.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating harsh transitions between light and shadow.
- →Failing to establish a strong focal point.
- →Using too much paint, resulting in a muddy appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Apollo and the Muses (Parnassus)
Lavinia Fontana
Portrait Of Don Rodrigo Vasquez
El Greco
Madonna Bolognini
Correggio
The Unhappy Lot of the Rich
Maerten van Heemskerck
Head of a Woman
Orazio Gentileschi
The Deposition
Giorgio Vasari
Portrait of a Man Holding a Letter
Francesco de' Rossi (Francesco Salviati), "Cecchino"
Portrait of the Physician Carlo Fontana
Bartolomeo Passerotti