plate no. 9667

The Garden of Earthly Delights (detail)

oil, panelNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfigureslandscapeanimalsfantasywaterarchitecture

advanced study

Recreating this painting helps develop skills in layering, glazing, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective, as well as precise rendering of figures and details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 60 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a light ochre or grey.
step 02
Lightly sketch the main compositional elements: the structures, the water, and the general placement of figures and animals.
step 03
Begin blocking in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the distant landscape.
step 04
Develop the architectural structures, focusing on the subtle gradations of light and shadow.
step 05
Start adding the figures and animals, paying close attention to their anatomy and poses.
step 06
Build up layers of glazes to create depth and luminosity in the colors.
step 07
Add the fine details, such as the foliage, the textures of the buildings, and the expressions on the figures' faces.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · vermilion · sap green · ivory black

Achieve the muted greens by mixing yellow ochre with ultramarine blue and a touch of raw umber. Flesh tones are created by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and vermilion.

techniques