plate no. 5695

Charles IV

oilRococoportraitfigureportraitclothingdraperytablecolumn

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in skin tones and clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, clothing, skin tones.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the clothing, including the embroidery and sash.
step 05
Work on the drapery and table, adding folds and highlights.
step 06
Refine the background and add any final details.
step 07
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows.

color palette

primary · sky blue · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre · raw umber

Mix blues and whites for the coat, adding small amounts of other colors to create subtle variations. Use red and white for the chair. Greens are created by mixing blues and yellows.

techniques

·portraiture
·fabric rendering
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overworking the details too early.
→Muddying the colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints: sky blue, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green, yellow ochre, raw umber
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Easel