plate no. 1407
The Procession to Calvary
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1564
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex scenes with many figures and atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth and distance through careful color and value control.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
1
study guide
est. 40 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to map out the overall composition and placement of major elements.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the basic shapes of the landscape.
- step 03
Block in the sky with broad strokes, paying attention to the cloud formations.
- step 04
Start adding the larger groups of figures, focusing on their general shapes and positions.
- step 05
Gradually refine the details of the figures, working from the background to the foreground.
- step 06
Add details to the landscape, such as trees, rocks, and buildings.
- step 07
Pay close attention to the lighting and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · earthy browns · ochre · red · blue
secondary · gray · green · white · black
Mix browns and ochres with white to create lighter tones for highlights. Use blues and grays to create the atmospheric perspective in the background.
techniques
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·figure drawing
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting lost in the details too early.
- →Failing to establish a strong sense of depth.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 18x24 inches) is recommended for this project.
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