plate no. 7108

Johan de Liefde (ca. 1619-73), Vice-Admiral

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfigureseashipscloudscurtain

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting complex textures like lace and fabric, and creating atmospheric perspective in the background seascape.

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 background elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the background seascape, paying attention to atmospheric perspective and the depiction of clouds and ships.
step 04
Refine the figure's face, carefully rendering the skin tones and facial features.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the lace collar, gold embroidery, and sash.
step 06
Paint the hands, paying attention to their gesture and anatomy.
step 07
Add final details to the foreground elements, such as the table and globe.
step 08
Glaze and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and black for clothing and background. Use white with small amounts of red, yellow, and blue to create skin tones. Mix blues and grays for the sky and sea.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details before establishing the overall value structure.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
→Making the skin tones look flat or unnatural.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (24x30 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette knife