plate no. 4659

St. Roch

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfiguredogstaffhatrobereligious

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand dramatic lighting techniques and how to model forms using chiaroscuro. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and composition.
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 figure and dog.
step 04
Gradually build up the highlights and mid-tones, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Pay close attention to the direction of light and how it affects the forms.
step 06
Add details such as the facial features, hands, and the texture of the robe.
step 07
Refine the edges and add subtle highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the richness of the tones.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones and robe.

techniques