plate no. 5342

Charles I of England and Henrietta of France

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfigureslaceclothingarchitecturehistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering delicate textures like lace and skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the two figures and the architectural element, paying attention to the oval frames.
step 02
Establish the dark background tones using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin rendering the clothing, focusing on the larger shapes and folds before adding details.
step 05
Carefully paint the lace details, using a fine brush and light, delicate strokes.
step 06
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone and color.
step 07
Refine the architectural element, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the blue sash. Mix black and umber for the dark clothing.

techniques