plate no. 8085

Irod's feast

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresarchitecturetablefeastreligious scenedog

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting complex scenes with multiple figures and architectural elements, as well as understanding the use of light and shadow to create drama and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 03
Develop the architectural background, paying attention to perspective and detail.
step 04
Begin to define the figures, focusing on their poses and expressions.
step 05
Establish the light source and begin to build up the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the figures' clothing and faces, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding finishing touches.
step 08
Add glazes to enrich colors and create depth.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth colors with white and small amounts of blue or red. Use glazes of transparent colors to add depth and richness.

techniques