plate no. 7821
St.Mark
Andrea Mantegna, 1450
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of light and shadow on the face. It also provides practice in depicting textures, such as fabric and stone.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes of the figure, window, and book.
- step 02
Establish the dark background and the overall light source.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the face, clothing, and book, focusing on accurate values.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 05
Refine the details of the clothing, book, and window, adding texture and highlights.
- step 06
Add the halo and the fruit, ensuring they are consistent with the overall lighting.
- step 07
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add depth.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · gold
Mix various shades of brown and red by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and cadmium red. Use ivory black to darken the colors and titanium white to lighten them. Achieve the golden tones by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt sienna.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and volume.
- →Inaccurate color mixing, resulting in muddy or unnatural colors.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a canvas with a smooth surface to facilitate blending.
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