plate no. 5710

The Flagellation of Christ

oil, woodNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresarchitecturecolumnsbuildingreligious scenesky

experienced study

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures and architectural elements, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Establish the background sky and distant architecture using thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main figures with basic skin tones and clothing colors, focusing on accurate anatomy.
step 04
Develop the architectural details, including the columns, arches, and decorative elements.
step 05
Refine the figures by adding shadows, highlights, and details to create a sense of volume and realism.
step 06
Add details to the foreground figures, including clothing folds, facial features, and the instruments of flagellation.
step 07
Pay attention to the lighting and shadows to create depth and drama.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · flesh tones (various mixes of red, yellow, white) · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian green · ivory black

Achieve realistic skin tones by mixing various combinations of red, yellow, white, and a touch of blue. Use thin washes of ultramarine blue mixed with white to create the atmospheric perspective in the background.

techniques