plate no. 2626

Ecce Homo

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfiguredraperyreligiousmaledark backgroundstaff

some experience helpful

This painting is great for learning about chiaroscuro and how to create dramatic lighting effects. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery folds.

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 figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the dark background with a thin layer of dark brown or black paint.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light on the figure, using a mix of white and a warm skin tone.
step 04
Begin to build up the drapery, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Refine the facial features and details, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 06
Add details to the staff and any other accessories.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to deepen shadows and enrich the overall color palette.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use burnt umber and black for the dark background and shadows. Mix red with burnt umber for the drapery.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·underpainting
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Not establishing a strong value contrast.
→Using too much paint and losing the transparency of the shadows.
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife