plate no. 2130

André Hercule de Fleury

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclerical clothingredbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and subtle variations in light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin tones, clothing.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle layers of color to create depth and form.
step 04
Work on the details of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the folds and highlights in the clothing, paying attention to the way light interacts with the fabric.
step 06
Add the details of the collar and any other accessories.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. The clothing is primarily white with subtle variations of yellow ochre and umber to create shadows and highlights. The background is a mix of umber, black, and a touch of red.

techniques

·portrait painting
·glazing
·blending
·color mixing
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring subtle variations in light and shadow.
→Creating harsh lines instead of smooth transitions.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, ivory black, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife