plate no. 1125

Christ in silence (Grey Passion-9)

oilInternational Gothicreligious paintingfiguresreligious scenearmorcrown of thornstoolsgroup portrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, rendering drapery, and creating subtle tonal variations in a limited color palette. It also offers practice in depicting complex interactions between multiple 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 outlining the main figures and their positions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of dark green.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with a mid-tone of off-white/beige.
step 04
Start adding shadows and highlights to the figures to define their forms, focusing on the drapery folds.
step 05
Develop the details of the faces, armor, and other objects, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the colors and values, gradually building up the layers of paint.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the crown of thorns, the tools, and the subtle textures.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of off-white and beige by combining white with small amounts of raw umber, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre. Use ivory black sparingly to create shadows and depth.

techniques