plate no. 6979

Duke of York

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurearmorlacewigroyal

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones, fabrics, and metallic surfaces. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes.

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 basic shapes and proportions of the figure, armor, and wig.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown, gradually building up darker values.
step 03
Block in the skin tones using a limited palette of earth tones, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin rendering the armor, paying close attention to the reflected light and highlights to create a metallic effect.
step 05
Paint the wig using a variety of browns and yellows, creating texture with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the lace collar, using a small brush to create the delicate patterns.
step 07
Paint the blue sash, blending the colors smoothly to create a soft, flowing effect.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow light

Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and ivory black. Achieve skin tones by blending raw sienna, titanium white, and a touch of red or yellow ochre. Create the metallic sheen of the armor by mixing ivory black and titanium white with subtle hints of blue or brown.

techniques

·portraiture
·value studies
·glazing
·scumbling
·highlighting

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow on the armor.
→Making the wig appear too uniform and lacking in texture.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·assorted round and flat brushes
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·palette knife