plate no. 7675

Crucifixion

oil, panelEarly Renaissancereligious paintingcrucifixionfiguresreligious sceneskylandscapecrosses

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, creating atmospheric perspective, and understanding the use of light and shadow to create form. It also provides an opportunity to study classical composition and narrative painting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and crosses.
step 02
Block in the background sky and landscape with thin washes of color, focusing on the atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Roughly sketch the figures on the crosses, paying attention to anatomical accuracy and proportions.
step 04
Begin adding layers of paint to the figures, building up the form with light and shadow.
step 05
Paint the drapery of the figures at the base of the crosses, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and hands, capturing the expressions and gestures.
step 07
Add the blood details and refine the texture of the wood on the crosses.
step 08
Apply final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Create atmospheric perspective in the background by adding more white and raw umber to the colors.

techniques