plate no. 6031

St. Thomas, also called Saint with a Pike

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfiguremanbookpikereligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand dramatic lighting techniques and how to model form using value changes. 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
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main areas of light and shadow using thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to create a strong value structure.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in hue.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, book, and pike, adding texture and definition.
step 06
Develop the drapery of the robe, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, and a touch of burnt sienna. Achieve the dark background by mixing ivory black with a hint of raw umber. The blue robe is created with ultramarine blue and ivory black.

techniques