plate no. 6047

Esau selling his birthright to jacob for a pottage of lentils

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfiguresinteriortableclothingfoodreligious scene

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, chiaroscuro lighting, and rendering realistic skin tones and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 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 tones using a thin wash of burnt umber and black.
step 03
Block in the main light areas on the figures and clothing with a mid-tone mixture.
step 04
Begin building up the highlights and shadows on the skin, paying close attention to the light source.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
step 06
Refine the facial features and expressions of the figures.
step 07
Add the details of the table, bowl, and other objects.
step 08
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the depth.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw sienna, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black to create the dark shadows and background. Mix yellow ochre and red for the clothing.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·figure drawing
·drapery rendering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Inaccurate proportions in the figure drawing.
→Muddying the colors by overmixing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints: burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags