plate no. 8711

The Ghent Altarpiece (interior)

oil, woodNorthern Renaissancereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenelandscapearchitecturealtarpiececrowd

advanced study

Recreating this painting would develop skills in meticulous detail work, glazing techniques, and rendering complex textures and drapery. Students would also learn about composition and perspective in a multi-panel format.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 100 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a detailed grid-based sketch of the entire altarpiece, paying close attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Underpaint the entire composition with thin layers of burnt umber and white to establish values and shadows.
step 03
Start painting the central panels, focusing on the figures of God, Mary, and John the Baptist, building up layers of color with glazes.
step 04
Move on to the side panels, rendering the details of the angels, Adam and Eve, and the musical instruments.
step 05
Paint the lower panels, capturing the landscape, architecture, and the crowd of figures with precise detail.
step 06
Refine the details of the drapery, faces, and textures, using small brushes and thin layers of paint.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Apply a final layer of varnish to protect the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · crimson red · viridian green · ivory black

secondary · gold ochre · raw sienna · lead white · yellow ochre

Achieve the rich, luminous colors through layering and glazing. Mix primary colors with white to create subtle variations and highlights. Use thin washes of color to build up depth and saturation.

techniques