plate no. 2455

St Gregory the Great

oil, panelHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfigurereligious figurebookcrowndoverobe

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, particularly in rendering skin tones and drapery folds, as well as understanding the use of chiaroscuro to create depth and drama.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure, book, and dove, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of dark brown paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the robe, face, crown, and book.
step 04
Begin to build up the values in the face, using layers of thin paint to create subtle gradations.
step 05
Add details to the robe, crown, and book, paying attention to the textures and patterns.
step 06
Refine the details of the dove, using light and dark values to create form.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use cadmium red to add warmth to the robe. Mix ivory black with burnt umber to create deeper shadows.

techniques