plate no. 2945

The Temptation of St Anthony Abbot

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguredemonslandscapecloudslionbook

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex figures, dramatic lighting, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting a range of textures, from fur to skin to rock.

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 outlining the main figures and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the dark background tones using burnt umber and black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figures, lion, and clouds.
step 04
Develop the form of the figures with careful attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the faces and expressions of the figures.
step 06
Render the textures of the fur, skin, and rock with varied brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of drama.
step 08
Add final details to the landscape and sky.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and white, with small amounts of red and yellow for warmth. The dark tones are created by mixing burnt umber and black. The sky is achieved by mixing white and blue.

techniques