plate no. 3940
St Francis in Ecstasy
Giovanni Bellini, 1485
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand atmospheric perspective and how to render complex textures like rocks and foliage. It also provides practice in figure drawing and drapery.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, rocks, and background elements.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the vanishing point for the architectural elements.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas: sky, rocks, landscape, and the figure's robe.
- step 04
Begin layering the rocks, paying attention to light and shadow to create depth.
- step 05
Add details to the architectural elements in the background, using perspective to create distance.
- step 06
Refine the figure's form and drapery, using subtle color variations to create volume.
- step 07
Add details to the foliage and other vegetation, varying the brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details, such as the skull and book, to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · sap green
Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth pigments with white and small amounts of blue. Use thin glazes to build up color and create depth.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·linear perspective
common pitfalls
- →Getting the perspective of the architecture wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall harmony.
- →Making the colors too saturated and unrealistic.
- →Not creating enough depth in the landscape.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Madonna Enthroned with Saints
Filippo Lippi
Christ the Judge (detali)
Fra Angelico
The Dead Christ Supported by an Angel
Antonello da Messina
St. Michael and St. John
Álvaro Pires de Évora
Penitent St. Jerome
Fra Angelico
The Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist
Sandro Botticelli
Coronation of the Virgin (detail)
Filippo Lippi
Adoration of the Child
Filippino Lippi