plate no. 2234

St. Jerome in the desert

temperaEarly Renaissancereligious paintingfigureslandscaperockslionskullbuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery, and rendering realistic rock textures. It also provides practice in creating a cohesive color scheme with limited hues.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures, rocks, and other elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of earth tones and muted colors.
step 03
Begin to refine the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomical details.
step 04
Develop the drapery, paying attention to the way the fabric folds and drapes over the figures.
step 05
Add details to the rocks, creating texture and depth with varying brushstrokes and values.
step 06
Paint the lion, focusing on its anatomy and fur texture.
step 07
Add the skull and other small details.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to create depth and luminosity.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt umber and raw sienna with white to create a range of earth tones. Use alizarin crimson to create the pink hues in the drapery and flesh tones. Mix ultramarine blue with white to create the sky.

techniques