plate no. 0108

Blind Old Beggar

oil, canvasTenebrismportraitfiguresportraitold manboybeggardark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro, blending dark tones, and capturing realistic skin tones under low light conditions. It also provides practice in depicting textures and subtle details in clothing and facial features.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 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 light and shadow on the figures, paying attention to the strong contrast.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, starting with the darkest areas and gradually adding highlights.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 07
Add the details of the jar and the writing on it.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Achieve the dark tones by mixing umber and black. Skin tones can be created by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use thin glazes of color to build up depth and luminosity.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·dry brushing
·blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value contrast.
→Using too much paint and losing the subtle tonal variations.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, raw sienna, cadmium red light)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Rags or paper towels