plate no. 7443

Heinrich Graf Von Brühl

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigureclothingcolumnhelmettable

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through layering and subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Develop the background, focusing on subtle gradations of tone to create depth.
step 04
Refine the figure's features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the intricate patterns and textures.
step 06
Render the helmet and other objects on the table, focusing on their form and surface qualities.
step 07
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · raw sienna

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the rich red of the coat by layering cadmium red with glazes of alizarin crimson. Mix blues and blacks for the velvet.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
→Not capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow on the face.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (cadmium red, ivory black, titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt umber, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife