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Painted entirely in umber, a man sits on a chair with his right hand over his heart and his left hand held out as if he is asking "why?". He is looking up at the top left corner but the only features on his face are marks of a nose, a mouth, and a long beard. The image is high contrast with emphasis on bright light highlights against deep dark shadows. A large robe is draped across his body and books can be seen scattered on the floor below.

Repentant?

Jessica Allen

Oil on Canvas

This was one of the first paintings I made in Introduction to Painting. Through this chiaroscuro study, I learned not only the fundamentals of value, form and emphasis but the true power that lies within painting. I learned how to breathe life into the shapes I created with the simple addition and subtraction of one color.