plate no. 3167
The Denial of St. Peter
Nicolas Tournier, 1625
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students understand dramatic lighting techniques (tenebrism) and how to create realistic skin tones in low-light conditions. It also provides practice in rendering complex textures like fabric and metal.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and the table.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting using a dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the mid-tones, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 04
Start building up the light areas, paying close attention to the direction of the light source.
- step 05
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, adding subtle color variations.
- step 06
Work on the textures of the armor and the table, using dry brush techniques.
- step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the shadows.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Use ivory black and ultramarine blue to create deep shadows.
techniques
- ·tenebrism
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Overworking the details before establishing the overall form.
- →Using too much color, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Ignoring the direction of the light source.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·turpentine
- ·dammar varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A toned canvas can help establish the dark background.
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