plate no. 0826
St. Peter
Jusepe de Ribera, 1637
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and textures, and understanding dramatic lighting (chiaroscuro). It also provides practice in depicting folds and drapery.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the folds of the robe.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and hands with mid-tones.
- step 04
Begin building up the highlights on the face, paying close attention to the bone structure and wrinkles.
- step 05
Develop the beard with short, broken strokes of white and gray.
- step 06
Work on the drapery, using a combination of blending and visible brushstrokes to create the illusion of folds.
- step 07
Refine the details of the hands, paying attention to the knuckles and veins.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · cadmium yellow light
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, umber, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use black and umber to create the dark background and shadows. Mix white with a touch of yellow ochre and burnt umber for the highlights on the robe.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat, unrealistic appearance.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the light and shadow areas.
- →Getting the proportions of the face or hands wrong.
- →Not capturing the texture of the beard.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints: Raw Umber, Burnt Umber, Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Easel
Use a canvas with a smooth texture for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the oil paints for easier blending.
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