plate no. 9416

Supper at Emmaus

canvas, oilAcademicismreligious paintingfigurestableinteriorwindowreligious scenehalo

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and drapery, and understanding how light and shadow create depth and drama.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and the table.
step 02
Establish the main light source (window) and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the background and the general colors of the figures' clothing.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the faces, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Refine the drapery, using soft blending to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 07
Add details to the table setting and the surrounding environment.
step 08
Apply final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool shadows.

techniques

·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·underpainting
·portraiture
·drapery study

common pitfalls

→over-blending skin tones
→inaccurate proportions of figures
→neglecting the importance of the light source
→muddying colors by over-mixing

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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