plate no. 8373

St. Michael

oilContemporary Realismreligious paintingfigureangelportraitwingshaloreligious

experienced study

Recreating this painting would help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle value transitions for realistic skin tones, and rendering of drapery and textures. It also offers practice in creating a sense of depth and light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition, focusing on accurate proportions of the figure and placement of key elements like the halo and wings.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure's skin, hair, and clothing.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the face and drapery, paying close attention to the subtle value changes that create form.
step 04
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 05
Add the details of the wings and halo, using gold paint or metallic accents to create a sense of luminosity.
step 06
Work on the drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights that create a sense of volume.
step 07
Refine the background details, adding subtle patterns and textures to create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of realism and luminosity.

color palette

primary · flesh tones (various mixes of red, yellow, and white) · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · gold

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve realistic skin tones by mixing various combinations of red, yellow, white, and a touch of blue or green to create subtle variations in temperature. Use glazes to build up depth and luminosity in the shadows.

techniques