plate no. 8205

The interior of the Pantheon (Rome)

oil, canvasBaroqueinteriorarchitectureinteriordomecolumnsfigureslight

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in perspective drawing, rendering architectural details, and capturing the effects of light and shadow within a large interior space. It also offers practice in painting figures in various poses and sizes to create a sense of depth.

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 overall perspective and proportions of the Pantheon's interior.
step 02
Divide the dome into sections and sketch the coffered pattern, paying close attention to the diminishing size as it recedes.
step 03
Rough in the positions of the columns, statues, and other architectural elements.
step 04
Block in the main areas of light and shadow using a limited palette of grays and browns.
step 05
Start adding details to the architectural elements, such as the columns, cornices, and inscriptions.
step 06
Paint the figures in the foreground, paying attention to their poses and clothing.
step 07
Gradually add more details and refine the values to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of realism.

color palette

primary · gray · ochre · burnt umber

secondary · white · blue · red

Use a limited palette of earth tones and grays, mixing white to create lighter values and adding small amounts of blue or red to create subtle color variations.

techniques