plate no. 4436
Isaac Louis De Thellusson
Jean-Étienne Liotard, 1760
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportion and capturing subtle skin tones, as well as rendering fabric with realistic folds and highlights.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of warm neutral color.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the form of the face and hands.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
- step 06
Add details to the lace and floral patterns on the robe.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, hair, and jewelry.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · sky blue · ivory · raw umber
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red · sap green
Mix blues with white and a touch of yellow to create the variations in the robe. Use red and brown to create the skin tones and shadows.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·color matching
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the figure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·pastel set
- ·soft blending stumps
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·fixative spray
- ·palette
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·pastel pencils
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for best results with pastels. Consider using a tinted canvas to help establish the overall color scheme.
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