plate no. 8905

Joan d'arc being interrogated

oilRomanticismhistory paintingfiguresinteriorhistoricalinterrogationcardinaljail

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure painting, and creating dramatic lighting effects. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fabric and straw.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and their positions.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of black and burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with their local colors: red for the cardinal, pale skin tones for Joan, and dark tones for the scribe.
step 04
Develop the light source by adding highlights to the figures, paying attention to the direction of the light.
step 05
Refine the details of the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as folds and wrinkles, using lighter and darker shades of the base colors.
step 07
Render the straw on the floor using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · crimson red · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre

Mix crimson red with small amounts of black to create the darker shades of the cardinal's robes. Use white and yellow ochre to create the pale skin tones of Joan. Mix black and burnt umber for the dark background.

techniques