plate no. 7066
St Christopher
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and drapery folds, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in landscape painting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the dark background and the general shapes of the landscape elements.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures, starting with the darkest shadows and gradually adding highlights.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face and clothing, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Refine the water and reflections, using thin layers of paint.
- step 06
Add the details of the child and the staff.
- step 07
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red · ivory black
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
Mix various shades of brown and red for the skin tones and drapery. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the atmospheric perspective in the background. Mix yellow ochre and white for the moon.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
- →Not paying enough attention to the light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 inches) is recommended for beginners.
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