plate no. 0417

The Beheading of St. John the Baptist

oil, canvasSymbolismreligious paintingfiguresreligious scenetreestone wallhalolandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, particularly rendering skin tones and drapery, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective and muted color palettes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the tree.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of muted greens and browns.
step 03
Block in the figures with basic shapes and skin tones, paying attention to proportions.
step 04
Develop the drapery and clothing with folds and shadows.
step 05
Refine the skin tones with subtle variations and highlights.
step 06
Add details to the tree and the stone wall, creating texture and depth.
step 07
Paint the halo around St. John's head with a soft, diffused glow.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or raw umber to dull the intensity. Use thin glazes to create depth and luminosity.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·figure drawing
·atmospheric perspective
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→getting proportions wrong
→overworking details too early
→using colors that are too bright
→failing to create a sense of depth

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags