plate no. 6703

Emmanuel-Théodose De La Tour D'auvergne, Cardinal De Bouillon

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurecardinalclothingchairdrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and depicting the textures of fabrics like velvet and lace. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a subject and creating a sense of depth through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create a realistic effect.
step 04
Work on the drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights to convey the texture of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the lace and other embellishments.
step 06
Paint the chair, focusing on the gold details and the play of light and shadow.
step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure and doesn't distract from the focal point.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · cadmium red · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, burnt sienna, and a touch of cadmium red. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows. Mix red and black for the darker reds in the drapery.

techniques