plate no. 5302

The Tribute Money (triptych) middle

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)religious paintingfiguresmenclothingreligious scenehandsfaces

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing realistic skin tones and facial expressions, as well as understanding how to depict complex folds and textures in clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Develop the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Work on the clothing, focusing on capturing the folds and textures.
step 05
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the background and add any final details.
step 07
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and add depth.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create shadows and darker tones. Mix viridian green and yellow ochre for muted greens in the background.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·underpainting
·color mixing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the importance of accurate proportions.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tones.
→Ignoring the effects of light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, viridian green, raw sienna)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags