plate no. 6431

Bust portrait of Cyrus-Marie-Adélaïde de Timbrune, count of Valence, general-in-chief of the Ardennes army

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothinghistoricalmale

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle blending of skin tones, as well as rendering of fabric and metallic details.

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 main light and shadow areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color temperature.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 05
Paint the clothing, including the details of the collar, buttons, and trim.
step 06
Add the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Adjust the 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 · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red light. Use raw umber and ultramarine blue to create shadows and depth. Achieve the gold trim by mixing cadmium yellow with a touch of raw umber.

techniques