plate no. 8300

Frederick II of Prussia

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinghistorical figurehatrococo

experienced study

This painting provides an opportunity to practice portraiture, including rendering skin tones and capturing likeness. Students can also learn about depicting intricate details in clothing and accessories.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and major clothing elements.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, clothing, and hat.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the intricate embroidery and embellishments.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the facial features, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber. The blue clothing requires mixing ultramarine with black and white for highlights. Orange is created by mixing red and yellow.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Getting lost in the details of the clothing before establishing the overall form.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Uneven color mixing.