plate no. 5686

St. Thomas in Glory between St. Mark and St. Louis of Toulouse

canvas, temperaHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresreligiouscloudsangelsbookslandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating atmospheric perspective in the background. It also provides practice in capturing realistic skin tones and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, focusing on the sky and clouds.
step 03
Establish the basic values and colors of the figures, starting with the central figure of St. Thomas.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and details of the clothing, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the faces and hands of the figures, capturing their expressions and gestures.
step 06
Refine the background details, including the landscape and the angels.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the books, the staff, and the decorative elements.
step 08
Glaze and adjust colors to achieve the desired depth and luminosity.

color palette

primary · red ochre · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium red light · viridian

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, red ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Create atmospheric perspective in the clouds by adding blue and white to the base colors.

techniques