plate no. 9086

St. Francis

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigurereligiousrobeshadowportrait

some experience helpful

This painting is a great exercise in understanding chiaroscuro and how to create form with light and shadow. Students will learn to mix subtle variations of a limited palette to achieve depth and realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic figure proportions and pose, paying attention to the overall shape and placement on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, blending it smoothly to create depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the robe, using a mid-tone base color.
step 04
Gradually build up the highlights on the robe, using lighter shades of the base color and blending carefully.
step 05
Define the folds and creases in the robe with darker shadows, adding depth and dimension.
step 06
Paint the face, focusing on capturing the expression and using subtle variations in tone to create form.
step 07
Add details such as the rope belt, paying attention to the texture and highlights.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, adjusting the values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve the robe color by mixing raw umber and white, adjusting the ratio for highlights and shadows. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna sparingly to add warmth to the highlights and shadows.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overblending, which can flatten the image.
→Using too much white, which can make the colors look chalky.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in tone, which can result in a flat and lifeless image.
→Not paying attention to the edges, which can make the figure look disconnected from the background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags