plate no. 0120

The Evangelists St. Mark and St. Luke

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfigureslionoxbookdraperyreligious

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro and rendering realistic figures and drapery. It also provides practice in creating a dramatic and engaging composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of light and shadow using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the dark areas first, gradually building up the shadows and mid-tones.
step 04
Begin working on the figures, focusing on accurate anatomy and realistic skin tones.
step 05
Pay close attention to the drapery, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 06
Add details to the lion and ox, capturing their unique features and textures.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Use ultramarine blue and titanium white for the blue garment, and mix various shades of brown for the animals and drapery.

techniques