plate no. 5974

The soul in pain

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigureportraitreligiousfireemotionhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and conveying emotion through facial expressions. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow to create depth and drama.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic outline of the figure, focusing on proportions and pose.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark reds and browns, suggesting the flames.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and body using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle gradations of tone.
step 05
Add details to the hair, using a smaller brush to create individual strands and curls.
step 06
Develop the flames further, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of movement.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black for shadows, and add white for highlights. Mix red and umber for the flames, varying the proportions for different shades.

techniques