plate no. 4965

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenerobesbeardshands

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating dramatic lighting effects. It also provides practice in capturing realistic skin tones and facial expressions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background and figures with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up the values and details of the faces, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and textures of the robes, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the details of the hands and other anatomical features.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the richness of the tones.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create a range of grays and browns for shadows.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·underpainting
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a strong sense of light and shadow.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags