plate no. 5176

St. Jerome

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfigureskullred draperybeardold manreligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro, focusing on dramatic light and shadow, and portrait painting, specifically rendering realistic skin tones and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, skull, and drapery.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of burnt umber and black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light on the figure, skull, and drapery with lighter tones.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the face, including the beard, wrinkles, and eyes.
step 06
Refine the folds and shadows in the drapery, creating a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Add highlights to the skull and other areas to enhance the contrast and create a focal point.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive and realistic representation.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, umber, and a touch of red. Use varying amounts of white to create highlights and shadows. Mix red with umber to create the drapery color.

techniques