plate no. 8310
The monk at prayer
Edouard Manet, 1865
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones. It will also provide practice in rendering drapery and creating a sense of depth through value and color.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and skull.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of dark green.
- step 03
Establish the main values of the monk's robe, using a mix of browns and umbers.
- step 04
Begin to refine the features of the face, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the robe, such as the folds and the rope belt.
- step 06
Paint the skull, using a limited palette of white, gray, and yellow ochre.
- step 07
Refine the details of the hands.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · viridian
Mix browns by combining umbers, black, and a touch of red. Use white to create highlights and dilute the colors. The background is a mix of viridian and umber.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·dry brushing
- ·portraiture
- ·drapery
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too many colors, resulting in a muddy painting.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned ground (e.g., burnt umber) to create a warmer base.
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