plate no. 1820

The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigureshorsedogskyarchitecturereligious scene

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery painting, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering complex compositions with multiple figures.

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 proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Develop the background, paying attention to atmospheric perspective and color temperature.
step 04
Begin refining the figures, focusing on accurate anatomy and drapery folds.
step 05
Add details to the faces, hands, and clothing, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Build up layers of paint to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Pay attention to light and shadow to create a sense of volume.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · cadmium yellow light · ivory black

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the purple fabric by mixing alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue.

techniques