plate no. 5014

The Mocking of Christ

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenecrown of thornsrobescrucifixion

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model forms using light and shadow. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figures, starting with the darkest areas.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Paint the red robe, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add details to the faces and hands, including the crown of thorns.
step 07
Refine the background and add any remaining details.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black for shadows. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber to create the darker tones of the robe.

techniques