plate no. 9174

Anna and blind Tobit

oilBaroquegenre paintingfiguresinteriorwindowlightshadowfire

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering dramatic lighting and creating a sense of depth through tonal variations. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a dimly lit environment.

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 of the figures and the window.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and the interior with mid-tone values.
step 04
Begin to build up the light areas around the window and on the figures, using thin layers of paint.
step 05
Develop the details of the faces and clothing, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
step 06
Add the highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the background and the objects in the room.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · alizarin crimson

Achieve the dark, rich tones by mixing burnt umber and ivory black. Use yellow ochre and titanium white to create the warm highlights. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson to create subtle variations in the flesh tones and fabrics.

techniques