plate no. 5995

Satan Calling Up his Legions

oilSymbolismreligious paintingfiguresdemonsrockshelllightdarkness

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, creating dramatic lighting effects, and blending colors to achieve a sense of depth and atmosphere. It also provides practice in layering and glazing techniques to build up complex forms.

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 the overall structure of the rock formations.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting using a dark brown or black.
step 03
Begin layering in mid-tones, gradually building up the forms of the figures and rocks.
step 04
Introduce highlights using lighter shades of brown, ochre, and white, focusing on areas where light is hitting the figures.
step 05
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to anatomy and expression.
step 06
Glaze thin layers of color over the painting to unify the composition and create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the dramatic effect.
step 08
Let dry and add a varnish layer for protection.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red light

Achieve the dark, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber and ivory black. Lighten these mixtures with raw sienna and yellow ochre for highlights. Use small amounts of cadmium red light to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques