plate no. 2077

Louis De France, Duc De Bourgogne

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurearmorbattleskylandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering metallic surfaces, and creating atmospheric perspective in a landscape background. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of fabrics and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and the main elements of the background.
step 02
Establish the basic values and colors of the background sky and distant battle scene using thin washes.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomical landmarks.
step 04
Start building up the armor with layers of paint, paying close attention to highlights and shadows to create a metallic effect.
step 05
Develop the details of the face, hair, and clothing, refining the values and colors to capture the likeness and textures.
step 06
Add details to the background battle scene, using smaller brushstrokes and muted colors to create depth.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · burnt sienna

Achieve the metallic sheen of the armor by mixing grays with touches of yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create atmospheric perspective in the background by adding white to the colors and using thin washes.

techniques