plate no. 5626

The Pardon of Saint John Chysostom

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenecolumnsbabyrobesarchitecture

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 a sense of depth and narrative.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on the light source and how it affects the forms, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the figures, starting with the faces and hands, then moving to the drapery and clothing.
step 05
Gradually build up layers of color and detail, refining the forms and adding texture.
step 06
Pay close attention to the relationships between the figures and their surroundings.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the depth.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use umber and black for shadows, and add blue to darken the shadows further. Mix red and umber for the robes.

techniques