plate no. 3483

St. Simon

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfigurereligious figurebookdraperybeardhalo

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro and portraiture, focusing on rendering realistic skin tones and textures with a limited palette. Students will also learn to create depth and form through subtle value changes and blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of burnt umber and black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure's clothing and skin, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin to build up the highlights and shadows on the face, paying close attention to the bone structure and muscle definition.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing, adding folds and creases to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Paint the book and staff, focusing on their textures and forms.
step 07
Add the halo with a light, transparent wash of yellow ochre.
step 08
Glaze and refine the painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of burnt umber, raw sienna, and cadmium red light. Use glazes of burnt umber and black to create shadows and depth.

techniques