plate no. 4915

Saint Jerome Writing

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigurebookskulltablerobebeard

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro and portrait painting, specifically rendering realistic skin tones and drapery folds. It also provides practice in creating a focal point through light and composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: figure, book, skull, and table.
step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the red robe, skin tones, book pages, and skull.
step 04
Focus on the light source and begin building up highlights and shadows, paying close attention to the chiaroscuro effect.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 06
Add details to the book, skull, and quill, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to deepen shadows and enrich the overall color palette.
step 08
Add final highlights to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create shadows by adding burnt umber or raw umber. The red robe is a mix of cadmium red with touches of burnt umber for shadows.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·portraiture
·drapery
·underpainting

common pitfalls

→Overblending, which can flatten the forms.
→Ignoring the importance of the light source.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·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

optional

·medium gloss
·retouch varnish
·easel

Use a canvas with a smooth surface for easier blending. Consider using a toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) to establish a mid-tone.

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