plate no. 6616

St. Michael and St. John

oilEarly Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresreligiousangelssaintshalosrobes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of depth through subtle color variations. It also provides experience in replicating the style of early Renaissance art.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and their attributes (sword, staff, halos) on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figures' robes, armor, and skin tones, focusing on accurate color matching.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create subtle gradations and shadows in the drapery and skin.
step 05
Add details to the faces, hands, and feet, paying attention to the anatomical accuracy.
step 06
Define the outlines and details of the armor, sword, and staff using darker values.
step 07
Paint the halos with a mixture of yellow ochre and white, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add the final details, such as the patterns on the background and the texture of the hair and fur.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw sienna · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · vermilion · sap green · titanium white

Mix burnt sienna and raw sienna for the warm tones of the robes. Use ivory black and white to create the dark tones of the armor. Mix yellow ochre and white for the halos. Use small amounts of vermilion to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques