plate no. 1895

King Charles II in Boscobel Wood

oilBaroqueportraitfigurestreesforestportraitclothinglandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering clothing folds, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the main tree trunks.
step 02
Establish the background using thin washes of browns and greens, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes and colors of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Refine the facial features and details of the figures, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 05
Develop the textures of the clothing and foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes and techniques.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the painting.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color over the painting to unify the composition and enhance the colors.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · Prussian blue

secondary · titanium white · burnt sienna · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of blue. Use glazes of burnt sienna and raw umber to create depth and shadows.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Failing to establish a strong value structure
→Ignoring the importance of atmospheric perspective
→Using colors that are too saturated

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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