plate no. 3363
The Conversion of Saint Ignatius Loyola
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering soft, ethereal forms like clouds and angels.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and composition.
- step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of muted browns and grays.
- step 03
Block in the main color masses for each figure, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 04
Develop the drapery folds and details, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Paint the faces and hands, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle expressions.
- step 06
Add the angels and clouds, using soft, blended brushstrokes to create a sense of etherealness.
- step 07
Refine the details and highlights, adding small touches of color to bring the painting to life.
- step 08
Apply a final glaze to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of crimson. Use ultramarine blue and white for the cool tones in the drapery and clouds. Muted browns are created by mixing umber, sienna, and black.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·underpainting
- ·figure drawing
- ·drapery
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of harmony.
- →Making the colors too bright and saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the base color.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Girl with a Straw Hat
Judith Leyster
Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten
Abraham Storck
Bathsheba Bathing
Francesco Solimena
Repentant Peter
Guido Reni
Itinerant Musicians
Jacob Ochtervelt
Marie Christine
Marcello Bacciarelli
Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli
Giulio Cesare Procaccini
Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict
Philippe de Champaigne