plate no. 1116

The Last Supper

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)religious paintingfigurestablefoodreligious sceneinterioranimals

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing complex emotions and interactions between 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 overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 03
Begin refining the figures, paying attention to anatomical accuracy and drapery folds.
step 04
Develop the details of the faces, hands, and other key features.
step 05
Add the food and objects on the table, focusing on their textures and lighting.
step 06
Build up the layers of color, using glazes to create depth and luminosity.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use glazes of cadmium red to add warmth to the flesh. Mix viridian with burnt umber to create muted greens for the drapery.

techniques