plate no. 4553

The Devil in Church

David Alfaro Siqueiros, 1947

enamel, panelSurrealismsymbolic paintingarchitecturefiguresarchesceilingcolumnsdevil

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective drawing, rendering complex architectural forms, and creating a sense of depth through value and color variations. It also challenges them to depict a large number of figures in a cohesive composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic perspective and architectural structure, focusing on the vanishing points.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of light and shadow using diluted washes of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Gradually build up the darker areas, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value within the shadows.
step 04
Start adding details to the architectural elements, such as the columns and arches, using a smaller brush.
step 05
Carefully paint the figures in the foreground, focusing on their poses and interactions.
step 06
Add the details of the devil figure on the ceiling, using brighter colors and bolder brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the values and adding highlights to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Achieve the muted tones by mixing burnt umber and ivory black with varying amounts of raw sienna. Use small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to add warmth and highlights.

techniques