plate no. 3333

Tears of Saint Peter

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguremanportraitreligiousbeardclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model forms using light and shadow. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the blue garment, the brown cloak, and the skin tones.
step 04
Begin to build up the values, focusing on the areas of light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the hands and clothing, such as wrinkles and folds.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to adjust the tones and create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Achieve the blue garment color by mixing ultramarine blue with a touch of black and white for highlights. The brown cloak is a mix of burnt umber, raw sienna, and a touch of yellow ochre.

techniques