plate no. 7799

The Departure of Jacob

oilAcademicismreligious paintingfiguresbuildingsheepdoglandscapemoon

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, atmospheric perspective, and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering soft, diffused light and shadow.

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 figures, building, and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main color masses for the figures, building, and landscape, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 04
Refine the details of the figures, including the facial features, clothing folds, and hands.
step 05
Develop the atmospheric perspective by gradually lightening and desaturating the colors in the background.
step 06
Add the details of the sheep and dog, using soft brushstrokes to create a sense of texture.
step 07
Glaze and blend the colors to create a smooth, unified surface.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red light

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of other colors. Use glazes of transparent colors to create depth and luminosity.

techniques