plate no. 2551

St. Philippe

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfiguresaintbeardstaffreligiousportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro and portraiture, focusing on rendering textures like hair and fabric with limited color variations.

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 proportions and placement of the figure and staff.
step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin layer of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure: cloak, shirt, and face, using mid-tones.
step 04
Start building up the highlights on the face, beard, and hands, using lighter shades of brown and white.
step 05
Define the folds and shadows in the cloak and shirt, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 06
Add details to the staff, including the texture of the wood and the cloth tied around it.
step 07
Refine the facial features and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and detail.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw umber, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre to add warmth. Darken shadows with ivory black. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber for the shirt.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can flatten the image.
→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Failing to create enough contrast between light and shadow.
→Using too much detail too early in the painting process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ivory black, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags