plate no. 1735

Frédéric Napoléon, Prince Bacciochi

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurelandscapeskyclothingbuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of fabric textures, as well as atmospheric perspective in the background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic figure proportions and placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the figure's clothing, paying attention to folds and drapery.
step 04
Begin layering in highlights and shadows on the clothing to create volume.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle shading.
step 06
Add details such as the lace collar, gold trim, and feather.
step 07
Paint the foreground landscape, using lighter tones and softer edges for distant elements.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the figure and background.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve the subtle variations in the white clothing by mixing small amounts of black, umber, or yellow ochre with white. Use thin glazes to build up the color gradually.

techniques