plate no. 6165

Vision of St Bernard with Sts Benedict and John the Evangelist

oil, panelHigh Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresangelsreligious scenelandscapecityscapebooks

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to achieve realistic skin tones and fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures and composition.
step 02
Establish the background landscape and cityscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main figures with basic shapes and values, focusing on accurate proportions.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the drapery folds and create a sense of volume.
step 05
Develop the skin tones of the figures, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the faces, hands, and books, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Refine the background details and atmospheric perspective.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue and white to the background colors.

techniques