plate no. 6618

The Raising of Lazarus

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenetombdarknessdramaLazarus

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in dramatic lighting (chiaroscuro) and rendering complex figure groupings in a dark environment. It also provides practice in capturing emotional expressions and creating a sense of depth through tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main areas of light and shadow using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on the key figures, especially Lazarus and Christ, refining their forms and expressions.
step 04
Gradually build up the darker areas, paying attention to the subtle gradations of tone.
step 05
Add details to the faces and clothing, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 06
Refine the lighting, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and drama.
step 07
Pay attention to the textures of the clothing and the tomb.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Achieve the dark, muted tones by mixing burnt umber and ivory black with small amounts of other colors. Use white sparingly to create highlights and subtle variations in tone. Mix red and yellow ochre to create the reddish hues in the robes.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·underpainting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong sense of light and shadow.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on individual figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 8, 10)
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·damar varnish
·medium

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A toned canvas (e.g., with a thin wash of burnt umber) can be helpful for establishing the dark background.

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