plate no. 8312

Expulsion of the Merchants from the Temple

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)religious paintingfigurestempleanimalsarchitecturecrowdreligious scene

advanced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with many figures and animals, as well as understanding dramatic lighting and composition in a historical context. It also requires careful observation of anatomy and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and forms with broad strokes, focusing on value relationships.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to define areas of light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the figures, paying attention to anatomy, drapery, and facial expressions.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, such as columns and arches.
step 06
Introduce the animals, focusing on their forms and textures.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · red ochre · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and small amounts of red and yellow ochre. Use ivory black and titanium white to create a range of values for shadows and highlights.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·figure drawing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition.
→Failing to create a strong sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial strokes.
→Inaccurate proportions and anatomical errors in the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, red ochre, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags