plate no. 9480
St. Bruno (1030-1101) Praying in the Desert
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering drapery, creating a sense of depth through value, and capturing the texture of stone and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the key elements like the book and skull.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a dark brown or black, leaving space for the light source.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure with a mid-tone color, paying attention to the folds of the robe.
- step 04
Begin adding highlights to the robe, using lighter values of the base color and white.
- step 05
Develop the details of the book, cross and skull, using small brushes and careful observation.
- step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights on the figure, blending the transitions between tones.
- step 07
Add the light source behind the figure, creating a halo effect.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, and white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to add warmth to the highlights.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Overworking the details before establishing the overall form.
- →Making the highlights too bright or the shadows too dark.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the robe and background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth and luminosity of the colors.
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