plate no. 1813

Frederik I of Prussia

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureroyalclothingcrowninterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and intricate details in clothing and accessories. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, clothing, skin tones, and fur.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the gold embroidery and the texture of the velvet.
step 05
Work on the fur robe, creating the illusion of softness and depth with layers of light and dark.
step 06
Add the details of the crown, scepter, and other accessories.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle details to create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · crimson · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · gold · burnt umber · titanium white · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of crimson. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black for the dark blues of the clothing. Mix white with a touch of burnt umber for the fur.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fur

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
→Losing the details in the shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, crimson, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, raw sienna)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags