plate no. 9990
Louis XIII
Peter Paul Rubens, 1625
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering textures of fabric and metal, and understanding light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in mixing subtle skin tones and capturing likeness.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, paying attention to the light source.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, armor, and drapery with base colors.
- step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, using layering and blending techniques to create smooth transitions.
- step 05
Develop the details of the armor, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 06
Add details to the drapery, paying attention to folds and textures.
- step 07
Refine the facial features, capturing the likeness of the subject.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium red · burnt umber · raw sienna
Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Use burnt umber and ivory black for shadows. Mix ultramarine blue and titanium white for the blue drapery, adding touches of yellow ochre for variation.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering metal
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the freshness of the paint.
- →Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and form.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 or 18x24) is recommended.
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