plate no. 9015

Friend of the Humble (Supper at Emmaus)

oil, canvasRealismreligious paintingfigurestableinteriorfoodreligiousroom

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a realistic setting and understanding how to use light and shadow to create depth and form. It will also improve their ability to mix subtle color variations to capture the nuances of skin tones and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and the table.
step 02
Establish the main light source and block in the large shadow areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the forms of the figures, starting with the darkest values and gradually adding highlights.
step 04
Work on the details of the faces, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Paint the clothing and other objects in the scene, focusing on capturing the textures and folds.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, adding highlights and deepening shadows where necessary.
step 07
Add final details, such as the bread, plates, and other objects on the table.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker shadows. Add small amounts of cadmium red for warmth.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a clear light source.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, ivory black, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags