plate no. 8813

St. Ursula

oil, canvasHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfigurereligiousportraitarrowbookhalo

experienced study

This painting provides a good exercise in rendering smooth skin tones and drapery folds. Students can also practice painting realistic textures for the clothing and jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and objects, paying attention to the composition.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the background, clothing, and skin tones using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, focusing on subtle value changes to create form.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds in the green cloak, using highlights and shadows to define the shapes.
step 05
Paint the red dress, adding details such as the gold trim and the jeweled embellishments.
step 06
Render the book and arrow, paying attention to their textures and details.
step 07
Add the halos and other fine details, such as the jewelry and facial features.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · red · green · white · ivory

secondary · gold · black · brown

Mix various shades of red and green by adding white, black, or brown to the base colors. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.

techniques