plate no. 5880

Lute Player

oil, canvasTenebrismportraitfigureluteportraitclothingmusical instrument

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing realistic skin tones and rendering the texture of fabrics and musical instruments. It also provides practice in using chiaroscuro to create dramatic lighting and depth.

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 placement of the figure and the lute.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and lute with mid-tone colors.
step 04
Begin layering in highlights and shadows to define the form of the face, clothing, and lute.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the values on each surface.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add details to the lute, such as the strings and sound hole.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the skin tones and lute. Use white to create highlights and black to deepen shadows. Mix red with brown for the clothing.

techniques