plate no. 0370

St Basil Dictating His Doctrine

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligiousrobesbookscloudsangels

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering fabric textures, and creating atmospheric perspective with subtle color variations. Students will also learn to manage a complex composition with multiple figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures and their positions.
step 02
Establish the background with a warm, blended wash, suggesting clouds and light.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with dark and mid-tone values.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the drapery of the robes, using highlights and shadows to create form.
step 06
Add details such as books, quills, and other accessories.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle details to the clouds and angels.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use raw umber and ivory black for the dark robes, and add white for highlights. Create the cloud effect by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques