plate no. 6216

Charles the Bald

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigurecrownrobescepterhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting drapery and metallic textures.

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 key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, robe, and hands, using simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the drapery of the robe, using subtle color variations to suggest folds and textures.
step 06
Paint the metallic elements (crown, scepter, orb) using highlights and shadows to create a sense of shine.
step 07
Add details to the face, hair, and clothing, refining the overall likeness and realism.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, cadmium red, burnt umber, and white. Achieve the gold tones by mixing yellow ochre with burnt umber and touches of cadmium red for warmth. Use ivory black and burnt umber to create the dark background.

techniques

·portrait painting
·drapery rendering
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, titanium white, raw sienna)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife