plate no. 1791

Study of Christ for the Last Supper

oilHigh Renaissancesketch and studyportraitfigureChristfacehairreligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this study will help students understand the use of chiaroscuro to model form and the importance of expressive linework in capturing emotion. It's a great exercise in tonal drawing and understanding anatomy.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with broad, light strokes.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the angles of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the hair with flowing, directional strokes, varying the pressure to create depth.
step 05
Add darker accents to deepen the shadows and define the contours.
step 06
Soften edges and blend tones where necessary to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Add subtle highlights to catch the light and bring the figure to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · titanium white

Mix burnt umber with varying amounts of raw sienna to create a range of warm browns. Add a touch of ivory black to darken shadows. Use titanium white sparingly for highlights.

techniques