plate no. 9969

The Release of St. Peter

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfiguresangelbeardwingsreligious scenehands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery folds, as well as understanding chiaroscuro lighting techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figures and drapery, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, using layers of thin paint and careful blending.
step 05
Define the folds and highlights in the drapery, using a combination of glazing and impasto techniques.
step 06
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Paint the wings, using a dry brush technique to create texture.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final details.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using titanium white, raw umber, and a touch of cadmium yellow and burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool shadows.

techniques