plate no. 1164

The Departure of the Prodigal Son

oil, panelNeoclassicismreligious paintingfiguresarchitecturelandscapehorsedogsky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery painting, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering architectural details and animal forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and architecture.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background landscape and sky.
step 03
Establish the basic values and colors of the architectural elements, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Begin painting the figures, starting with the underpainting and gradually building up the details and colors.
step 05
Pay close attention to the drapery folds and how they define the form of the figures.
step 06
Add details to the horse and dog, focusing on their anatomy and texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the architectural elements and add the foliage.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the architecture and ground. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix greens from blue and yellow. Achieve skin tones by mixing red, yellow, and white with small amounts of brown or blue.

techniques