plate no. 5948

The Swearing of the Oath of Ratification of the Treaty of Munster

oil, copperBaroquegenre paintingfiguresinteriortablehistorical eventceremonyclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure arrangement, and rendering of fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere in a complex scene.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 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 shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on the central figures and the table, gradually adding details and refining the forms.
step 04
Develop the background figures, simplifying details and using darker values to create depth.
step 05
Pay attention to the lighting and shadows, using them to define the forms and create a sense of drama.
step 06
Add highlights and details to the clothing and faces, using small brushes and careful strokes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and adjust the values as needed.
step 08
Apply a final layer of varnish to protect the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · Prussian blue · raw sienna

Achieve the dark tones by mixing burnt umber and ivory black. Use white to create lighter values and subtle gradations. Mix red with umber and white for flesh tones.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers.
→Inaccurate proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, Prussian blue, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife