plate no. 8126

The Tribute Money

wood, panel, oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguresreligious scenearchitecturerobescoinbeards

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to create depth using value. It also provides practice in rendering realistic figures and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a dark ground (burnt umber or similar).
step 02
Lightly sketch the main figures and architectural elements using vine charcoal.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows with a thin wash of dark brown.
step 04
Begin building up the mid-tones and highlights, focusing on the figures' faces and drapery.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the forms.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, adding subtle color variations.
step 07
Add final highlights to create a sense of luminosity.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and deepen the shadows.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve the warm, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and yellow ochre. Use ivory black and ultramarine blue to create deep shadows. Add titanium white to create highlights and lighter skin tones.

techniques