plate no. 3071

Old Woman with a Candle

oil, canvasTenebrismgenre paintingfigurecandlecoinsold womantableclothing

some experience helpful

This painting provides a great opportunity to practice chiaroscuro and rendering the effects of candlelight. Students can also learn to depict age and texture through subtle brushwork and value changes.

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, candle, and coins.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background and the shadows on the figure.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the clothing and skin tones, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Begin layering lighter tones to create the highlights on the face, hands, and clothing.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, focusing on wrinkles and subtle value changes.
step 06
Add details to the candle and coins, capturing the reflective light.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and color temperature to enhance the dramatic lighting.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ivory black

secondary · titanium white · Prussian blue · raw sienna

Mix warm browns and reds for the skin and clothing, using white to create highlights. Use small amounts of blue to cool down shadows. Achieve the candle glow by layering yellows and oranges.

techniques