plate no. 9175

The Incredulity of St. Thomas

oil, panelMannerism (Late Renaissance)religious paintingfiguresarchitecturereligious sceneinteriorcolumnsstairs

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in complex composition and narrative painting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and forms with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up values, focusing on the highlights and shadows on the figures.
step 04
Develop the drapery, paying attention to the folds and how they interact with the light.
step 05
Add details to the faces and hands, capturing the expressions and gestures of the figures.
step 06
Refine the architectural elements, including the columns, archway, and stairs.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve flesh tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of umber or sienna. Use glazes of umber and black to create shadows and depth. Mix blue and umber for cooler tones in the background.

techniques

·figure drawing
·drapery rendering
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition.
→Failing to create a strong sense of light and shadow.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
→Inaccurate proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 24x36
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags