plate no. 5519

Saint Jerome Writing

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigureskulltablebookred clothcandle

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model forms using light and shadow. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, table, and key objects.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figure, table, and cloth.
step 04
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle color variations in the light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the skull, book, and candle, focusing on accurate rendering of form and texture.
step 06
Work on the red cloth, creating folds and highlights to give it volume.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and contrast to create a dramatic effect.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining umber, black, and white. Use red with umber to create the darker shades of the cloth, and add yellow ochre and white for highlights.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·underpainting
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Overworking the details before establishing the overall form.
→Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags