plate no. 8318

King Charles II

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfigureframehistorical figureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes and glazing techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure and frame, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, hair, and clothing using a limited palette.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value gradations.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture and volume.
step 06
Add the highlights and shadows to the lace collar and gold fabric, capturing the textures.
step 07
Paint the frame, using a variety of browns and golds to create a sense of depth and ornamentation.
step 08
Glaze layers to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and grey by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red light to warm up the skin tones. Create the gold fabric color by mixing yellow ochre with burnt umber and a touch of cadmium red light.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·value study
·blending
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overly harsh value contrasts.
→Lack of subtle color variations in the skin tones.
→Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife