plate no. 9523

The Burial of the Count of Orgaz

oilMannerismgenre paintingfiguresreligiouscelestialclergynobilityclouds

advanced study

Students would develop advanced figure painting skills, complex composition management, and dramatic chiaroscuro techniques while learning to balance earthly and heavenly realms within a single work.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 120 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create detailed preparatory drawings of individual figures and overall composition
step 02
Establish the dark underpainting for the lower earthly scene
step 03
Block in the major light and dark value patterns across both realms
step 04
Paint the celestial upper section with cooler grays and luminous highlights
step 05
Develop the ornate vestments and clothing with warm golds and rich colors
step 06
Refine facial features and expressions of the portraits in lower section
step 07
Add atmospheric perspective to separate the two realms
step 08
Apply final glazes and highlights to unify the composition

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · raw sienna · venetian red

Create luminous grays by mixing complementary colors rather than black and white; use warm and cool temperature shifts to separate earthly and heavenly realms

techniques