plate no. 1312
the Moneylenders
Quentin Matsys, 1520
experienced study
Recreating this painting would help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering textures of fabric and metal, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting complex compositions with multiple figures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Start with the background, gradually building up layers of detail and adjusting values.
- step 04
Focus on the faces, paying close attention to the subtle variations in tone and color to capture the expressions.
- step 05
Render the clothing and other objects, using a combination of blending and layering techniques.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the overall color balance.
- step 08
Add final details like the coins and text in the book.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · ivory black · red ochre
secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow light · ultramarine blue
Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red ochre. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows. Mix yellow ochre and a touch of burnt umber for the gold coins.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →getting the proportions of the figures wrong
- →overworking the details
- →flattening the forms with too much blending
- →failing to capture the expressions of the figures
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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