plate no. 2915

Banquet at the House of Simon

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfigurestablearchitectureinteriorreligious scenedog

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, dramatic lighting techniques (tenebrism), and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering complex compositions with many figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main areas of dark and light using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on the figures closest to the viewer, developing their forms and details.
step 04
Gradually add details to the figures further back, softening edges and reducing contrast to create depth.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the forms and colors.
step 06
Refine the details of the architecture and other elements in the background.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Mix darks with burnt umber and ivory black. Use raw sienna and yellow ochre for warm highlights. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber for rich reds and browns. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows.

techniques