plate no. 2591

Vision of St. Francis

canvas, oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious sceneangelslandscapeskyflowers

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, drapery rendering, and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting complex compositions with multiple figures and elements.

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 landscape.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, focusing on the atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Begin painting the figures, starting with the underpainting and gradually building up the layers of color and detail.
step 04
Pay close attention to the drapery, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and form.
step 05
Add the details of the faces and hands, focusing on capturing the expressions and gestures of the figures.
step 06
Paint the angels and other secondary figures, paying attention to their placement and relationship to the main figures.
step 07
Refine the details of the landscape, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and texture.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of blue and white for the Virgin Mary's robe. Use raw umber and white for the monk's habit. Mix red, yellow, and white for the skin tones of the figures.

techniques