plate no. 3084
Esau Sold Jacob his Birthright and the Mess of Pottage
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro and rendering human figures in dramatic lighting. It also provides practice in capturing subtle color variations in skin tones and fabrics.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and key objects.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of dark browns and blacks.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light on the figures and the table with a mid-tone.
- step 04
Begin layering highlights on the faces, hands, and clothing, paying attention to the direction of the light source.
- step 05
Refine the details of the faces, adding subtle shadows and highlights to create form.
- step 06
Paint the details of the table setting, including the candle, bowl, and dog.
- step 07
Add the red cloth, focusing on the folds and shadows.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · yellow ochre
Achieve skin tones by mixing raw sienna, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use ivory black to darken colors and cadmium red for the red cloth.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·underpainting
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong value contrast.
- →Over-blending and losing the sense of form.
- →Incorrectly rendering the proportions of the figures.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the dark background.
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