plate no. 4712

Count Carl Gustaf Tessin (1695-1770)

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurebookshelfglobeclothinginterior

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 creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.

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 the main elements of the composition.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Work on the clothing, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the background elements, such as the bookshelf and globe.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, titanium white, and raw umber. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow to create the gold details. Mix alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue for the darker shades in the background.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong, especially in the face.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue)
·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
·flat brushes (#4, #8)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·palette knife