plate no. 7166

Dominique-Vivant Denon

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistoricaljewelry

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 blending and creating subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face, clothing, and collar with basic colors.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, including the collar, jacket, and any embellishments.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Darken colors with ivory black and lighten with titanium white. Mix viridian green with ivory black for the dark green of the collar.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes that create depth and form.
→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil
·palette
·palette knife
·odorless mineral spirits