plate no. 9260

Moses and the Brazen Serpent

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigureslandscapereligious scenesnakemountainsky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, composition, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering drapery and skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Start defining the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomical details.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and highlights, paying attention to how light interacts with the fabric.
step 05
Build up the background landscape, using layers of color to create depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Add details to the figures' faces and expressions.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and form.
step 08
Add final details, such as the serpent on the pole and any small details in the landscape.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows and muted tones.

techniques

·figure drawing
·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·atmospheric perspective
·drapery rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere in the background.
→Overworking the figures and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Inaccurate proportions in the figures.