plate no. 1115

Jeremiah lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigureold manbeardbookskulltree

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and textures, as well as understanding chiaroscuro. It also provides practice in depicting drapery and still life elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, book, and skull.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of dark browns and reds, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using a limited palette of browns and creams.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the beard, using thin, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the book and skull, focusing on their form and texture.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, umber, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use burnt sienna to add warmth to shadows. Vary the proportions to create subtle color shifts.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Losing the overall sense of harmony.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw umber, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, burnt sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags