plate no. 4656

Young Man Reading by Candle Light

oil, canvasTenebrismgenre paintingfigurecandlebooklightshadowclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand dramatic lighting (chiaroscuro) and how light affects color perception. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and fabric folds.

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 figure, candle, and book.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the red robe, yellow vest, skin tones, and book.
step 04
Begin layering lighter tones where the candlelight hits, paying close attention to the gradations of light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and book, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Add highlights to the candle flame and other areas where the light is most intense.
step 07
Glaze over areas to unify the colors and create depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and black for the background and shadows. Use yellow ochre and white for the candle light and highlights. Mix red with brown and black to create the darker shades of the robe.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Over-blending and losing the subtle variations in color and tone.
→Making the highlights too bright too early.
→Ignoring the reflected light in the shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, titanium white, ivory black, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags