plate no. 3474

St. Paul

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfiguremanbeardrobeletterreligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand dramatic lighting and shadow, as well as how to render textures like skin, fabric, and hair using subtle color variations. It also provides practice in creating a focal point through light and composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, the letter, and the main light source.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure with mid-tone browns and grays.
step 04
Begin building up the light areas on the face, hands, and letter, using lighter shades of browns, grays, and whites.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the shadows and highlights.
step 06
Add the details of the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Paint the robe, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the letter and hands.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to create subtle variations in the skin tones and robe.

techniques