plate no. 5354

The judgement of Solomon

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfiguresbabyswordarchitectureclothingreligious scene

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating dramatic lighting effects. It also provides practice in capturing complex compositions with multiple figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the figures, paying attention to anatomy and proportions.
step 04
Render the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 05
Establish the light source and create dramatic contrasts between light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the faces and clothing.
step 07
Refine the background and architectural elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and beige for the skin tones and clothing. Use ultramarine blue and white for the drapery, and add touches of red and yellow for warmth. Create darker tones by mixing burnt umber and ivory black.

techniques