plate no. 4782

Louis XV in Armour

Charles-Andre van Loo (Carle van Loo), 1751

oil, canvasRococoportraitfigurearmorhelmetdraperyportraitroyal

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering metallic surfaces, and capturing the textures of fabrics and drapery. It also provides practice in creating a complex composition with multiple elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the large shapes of the background, drapery, and figure.
step 03
Start refining the details of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create form.
step 04
Work on the armor, using layers of paint to build up the metallic sheen and intricate details.
step 05
Add the details of the drapery, including the folds, highlights, and shadows.
step 06
Paint the helmet and other accessories, focusing on their textures and details.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details to complete the painting.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Achieve the metallic sheen by mixing grays with touches of yellow ochre and white. Create the fabric colors by mixing the primary colors with white and umber for muted tones.

techniques