plate no. 3612
Caravaggio
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and understanding how to build form with fragmented shapes and values. It also encourages exploration of emotional expression through abstract representation.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and placement of the face and surrounding shapes.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a dark brown or black.
- step 03
Begin filling in the mid-tones using grays and browns, focusing on the direction of the brushstrokes.
- step 04
Add highlights with lighter grays and whites, using short, choppy strokes.
- step 05
Introduce small amounts of red and orange around the eyes and face to add warmth.
- step 06
Refine the shapes and values, paying attention to the overall balance of the composition.
- step 07
Add final details and adjust the contrast as needed.
- step 08
Allow to dry completely.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white. Add small amounts of burnt sienna or red to warm up the grays for the face.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Losing the structure of the face amidst the abstract shapes.
- →Failing to establish a strong value contrast.
- →Using too much paint and losing the texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas to enhance the texture of the brushstrokes. Consider using a quick-drying medium to speed up the drying process.
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