plate no. 5782

Charles-Marie-Jean-Baptiste Marcotte (Marcotte d'Argenteuil)

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingmanjacket

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting 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
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of dark brown.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and hands using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle color variations.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add details such as the hair, eyes, and jewelry.
step 07
Refine the edges and adjust the values to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red to create warm skin tones, and ultramarine blue to create the dark blue of the coat.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·blending

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
→Lack of attention to detail in the clothing.
→Insufficient blending of colors.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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