plate no. 0711

St. Matthew

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigureangelbooktablewingsreligious

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing realistic skin tones and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, gradually adding layers of detail and atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Focus on the figures, building up the forms with careful attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces, hands, and drapery, paying close attention to the textures and folds.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine and burnt umber for dark shadows. Create a range of browns by mixing umber, sienna, and ochre.

techniques