plate no. 4705

The Prophet Isaiah (detail from the Isenheim Altarpiece)

oil, panelNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfigurebookrobebeardprophetreligious

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering drapery, creating depth with value, and capturing the texture of aged paper and fabric. It also provides practice in portraiture and conveying a sense of solemnity.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, book, and background.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas using a mid-tone wash.
step 03
Begin building up the darker values in the background and the shadows on the figure.
step 04
Add highlights to the robe, face, and book to create form.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, beard, and hands.
step 06
Carefully render the text and details on the book pages.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and add final details to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify colors and create a sense of age.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white

Achieve the warm, aged tones by mixing burnt umber with raw sienna and small amounts of yellow ochre. Use ivory black sparingly to create deep shadows. Titanium white is used for highlights and to lighten the base colors.

techniques