plate no. 1971

Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple (detail)

frescoHigh Renaissancehistory paintingfigurescrowdreligiousarchitectureclothingportrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering complex drapery with subtle value shifts. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through layering and glazing techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Transfer the sketch to the painting surface, paying close attention to anatomical accuracy.
step 03
Block in the main shapes and colors with thin washes of paint, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin building up layers of paint, gradually refining the forms and adding details.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the highlights and shadows on the figures and drapery.
step 06
Use glazing techniques to create subtle color variations and atmospheric effects.
step 07
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, paying attention to the textures and patterns.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth pigments with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use glazes of diluted color to create depth and luminosity.

techniques