plate no. 9802

Mocking of Christ

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenecrown of thornsdramatic lightingportrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model forms using light and shadow. Students will also learn to blend colors to create subtle transitions and realistic skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and their gestures.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figures, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin refining the forms by adding mid-tones and highlights, paying close attention to the direction of light.
step 05
Develop the details of the faces, hands, and crown of thorns, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Add the red cloth, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and white for shadows. Mix red with white for highlights on the cloth.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·blending
·modeling
·underpainting

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Getting lost in details before establishing the overall form.
→Incorrect proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife