plate no. 5856

Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, Future Pope Alexander VIII

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigureclothingchairdraperyhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in rendering fabric textures and subtle gradations of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, blended tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, hands, and clothing, using simplified color masses.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color to create a realistic likeness.
step 05
Develop the drapery and clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 06
Add details to the chair and other elements, such as the lace trim and the ring.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the face and clothing.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of red by combining cadmium red with small amounts of ivory black or yellow ochre. Achieve skin tones by blending titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and volume.
→Not blending the colors smoothly enough.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (cadmium red, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, raw umber, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags