plate no. 5167
The Penitent St Jerome
Filippino Lippi, 1485
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to render realistic figures in a landscape and how to create depth using atmospheric perspective. It will also provide practice in mixing earth tones and creating subtle gradations of light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main shapes and composition.
- step 02
Establish the background landscape with light washes of color, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
- step 03
Block in the large shapes of the rocks and tree, paying attention to their form and texture.
- step 04
Begin to define the figure of St. Jerome, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomy.
- step 05
Add details to the figure, including the drapery, beard, and hands.
- step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and volume.
- step 07
Add final details such as the halo and any small elements in the landscape.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and add richness.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, yellow ochre, and ivory black. Use titanium white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of cadmium red light to warm up the earth tones.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·hatching
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·damar varnish
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grain canvas will provide a good surface for capturing the details in this painting.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
related artworks
Madonna Enthroned with Saints
Filippo Lippi
Christ the Judge (detali)
Fra Angelico
The Dead Christ Supported by an Angel
Antonello da Messina
St. Michael and St. John
Álvaro Pires de Évora
Penitent St. Jerome
Fra Angelico
The Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist
Sandro Botticelli
Coronation of the Virgin (detail)
Filippo Lippi
Adoration of the Child
Filippino Lippi