plate no. 0763

Man of Sorrow

oil, panelNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfigurereligiousportraitarchitecturecrown of thornscloth

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering realistic skin tones using glazing techniques. It also provides practice in depicting drapery and architectural elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition and proportions of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the underpainting using burnt umber or a similar earth tone, focusing on values and shadows.
step 03
Begin layering skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually building up highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the drapery, paying attention to folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add details to the faces, including eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the expressions of the figures.
step 06
Render the architectural background, using perspective to create depth.
step 07
Refine the painting with glazes to enhance color and create subtle transitions.
step 08
Add final details, such as the crown of thorns and the inscription on the stone.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool shadows. Mix viridian with yellow ochre for muted greens.

techniques