plate no. 9599
La France pour toujours!
Jean Benner, 1871
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a subtle, luminous background.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the pose and placement on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the gold background, the dark dress, and the lighter skin tones.
- step 03
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
- step 04
Work on the details of the clothing, including the lace collar and the decorative bodice.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the figure and clothing.
- step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add the inscription at the top of the painting.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · raw sienna
Achieve the gold background by layering yellow ochre, raw sienna, and a touch of burnt umber. Mix skin tones using titanium white, cadmium red light, and a touch of yellow ochre and burnt umber.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the facial features.
- →Making the background too flat and uniform.
- →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·Oil paints: yellow ochre, ivory black, titanium white, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light, raw sienna
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Medium (e.g., Liquin)
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a warmer base for the painting.
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