plate no. 5889

Abbot Jean Antoine Nollet

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone variations, and rendering of fabric and hair. It also provides practice in creating soft, diffused lighting and smooth transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, focusing on the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Paint the hair, paying attention to the direction of the curls and the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Render the clothing, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Dark clothing is created by mixing black and umber, with small amounts of blue or red to adjust the tone.

techniques