plate no. 9075

The Glory of St. Bernardino

oilEarly Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresangelslandscapeskycloudsreligious

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, atmospheric perspective, and color layering to create depth and luminosity. It also provides practice in rendering drapery and creating a sense of movement.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to map out the composition and proportions of the figures and landscape.
step 02
Establish the background sky and landscape using thin washes of color, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main figures with simplified shapes and values, paying attention to their poses and gestures.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the drapery and create a sense of volume and form.
step 05
Add details to the faces and hands, using subtle variations in color and value to create a sense of realism.
step 06
Paint the angels and other secondary figures, focusing on their dynamic poses and flowing drapery.
step 07
Refine the details of the landscape, adding trees, rocks, and other elements to create depth and texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · gold

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Use yellow ochre and raw umber for the figures' robes, and mix red and white for the angels' garments. Create greens by mixing blue and yellow.

techniques