plate no. 9201

St. Hugh of Cluny in the Refectory of the Carthusians

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigurestablebreadmonksreligious sceneinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, depicting drapery, and understanding atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering textures and creating a sense of depth through value and color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and the table.
step 02
Establish the background wall and the painting within the painting using thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes and colors of the monks' robes and the figures' skin tones.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and shadows on the robes, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Refine the facial features and expressions of the figures.
step 06
Add details to the table setting, including the bread, bowls, and pitcher.
step 07
Create the shadows and highlights on the floor and the front of the table.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of white with raw umber and yellow ochre to create the off-white tones of the monks' robes. Use burnt sienna and ultramarine blue to create the darker tones in the shadows. Add small amounts of cadmium red to create realistic skin tones.

techniques