plate no. 3346

Alexander Agassiz

Jules Joseph Lefebvre, 1901

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfigurerobechairacademic dressman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations and smooth transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of brown.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the robe, focusing on the red and pink areas.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the robe, including the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add details to the chair and the hat.
step 07
Refine the background and edges to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of red and pink by combining cadmium red, alizarin crimson, and titanium white. Achieve the background color by mixing burnt umber with yellow ochre and a touch of white.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·color mixing
·blending
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish accurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (cadmium red, titanium white, burnt umber, ivory black, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags