plate no. 9629

Pope Formosus and Stephen VI - The Cadaver Synod

oilAcademicismhistory paintingfiguresinteriorthronerobesarchitecturereligious

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex drapery, creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective, and capturing realistic skin tones under varied lighting conditions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the background and architectural details, paying attention to perspective and light.
step 04
Begin to refine the figures, starting with the central figure on the throne.
step 05
Add layers of detail to the drapery, using highlights and shadows to create form and texture.
step 06
Work on the faces and hands, capturing the expressions and details of the characters.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · crimson

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with small amounts of black and white. Use glazes of crimson and umber to create depth in the shadows. Mix white with yellow ochre and a touch of crimson for highlights on the robes.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·drapery rendering
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall value structure.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers.
→Failing to accurately capture the proportions and anatomy of the figures.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints: burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, crimson, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags