plate no. 0908

Repenting of St. Jerome, also called St. Jerome with Cardinal Hat

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfiguresainthatbookcrossrope

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, rendering skin tones with subtle variations, and creating dramatic lighting effects using chiaroscuro. It will also teach how to create texture with brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main shapes and composition.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure, hat, book, and other objects with basic color tones.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and feet, adding wrinkles and texture.
step 06
Paint the red hat and robe, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 07
Add the details of the book, cross, and rope, paying attention to their textures.
step 08
Adjust the overall lighting and contrast to create a dramatic effect.

color palette

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

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Vary the proportions to create highlights and shadows. The red is achieved by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt umber to darken it.

techniques