plate no. 9993

Bela II

lithographyBiedermeierportraitfigureportraitkingrobecrownorb

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering fabric folds and textures, as well as understanding light and shadow to create form. Students will also learn how to depict realistic skin tones and facial features.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall figure and main shapes, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the robe, skin, background, and floor.
step 03
Start layering the robe, building up shadows and highlights to create the folds and drapery.
step 04
Refine the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create a realistic effect.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the beard, eyes, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the crown and orb, paying attention to the highlights and reflections.
step 07
Add the details of the clothing such as the trim and patterns.
step 08
Finish by adding the background and floor details, and adjusting the overall values and colors.

color palette

primary · teal · gold · pink · brown

secondary · white · gray

Mix teal by combining blue and green with white. Achieve skin tones by mixing red, yellow, and brown with white. Create shadows by adding darker shades of blue or brown to the base colors.

techniques