plate no. 8656

The excavation of the cross

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigureslandscapereligious scenecrosslaborerssky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, foreshortening, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and forms with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up the details of the figures, paying attention to anatomy and musculature.
step 04
Develop the landscape elements, using layers of color to create depth and atmosphere.
step 05
Refine the details of the figures' clothing and tools.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.
step 07
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · Prussian blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red light for warmth. Create earth tones by mixing raw umber, yellow ochre, and white. Use Prussian blue to create atmospheric perspective in the sky.

techniques