plate no. 1232

Man Reading by Candlelight

oilNeoclassicismgenre paintingfigurecandlelightinteriortableletterportrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to render realistic skin tones under dramatic lighting. It will also provide practice in painting textures like fabric and glass.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure and objects.
step 02
Establish the dark background tones using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figure and the table.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, using layers of color to build up highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Add the details of the table, including the glass, mirror, and letter.
step 07
Focus on the light source (candle) and how it affects the surrounding objects, creating highlights and cast shadows.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, adding final touches to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · viridian

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, and white. Use small amounts of red and yellow to warm up the skin tones. Achieve the glow of the candlelight by mixing yellow ochre with white and a touch of red.

techniques