plate no. 9217

Crowning of Jesus Christ with Thorns

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenecrown of thornsarmorrobescrucifixion

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro, figure drawing, and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in capturing complex emotions and dramatic lighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the dark background and general areas of shadow using a dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main light areas on the figures, starting with the brightest highlights.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the faces, focusing on capturing the expressions and individual features.
step 06
Paint the clothing and armor, using a combination of broad strokes and fine details.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows, adding highlights and deepening the dark areas to create depth and drama.
step 08
Add final details, such as the crown of thorns, the wounds, and the textures of the clothing.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Use blue and umber to create the dark shadows. Mix red and umber for the robes.

techniques