plate no. 4222

Luke White

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothingoval framehistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding of light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the oval frame and the basic proportions of the figure, paying attention to the head angle and shoulder placement.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of color: the background, the jacket, the face, and the hair.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create form and highlight.
step 04
Add details to the clothing, including the ruffles and buttons, and the folds in the jacket.
step 05
Work on the hair, using short, broken strokes to suggest texture and volume.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in tone to create depth.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the highlights in the eyes and the subtle shadows on the face.
step 08
Glaze the painting with a thin layer of medium to unify the colors and add a subtle sheen.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium yellow

secondary · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow, red, and a touch of umber. The jacket is a mix of blue and black, lightened with white. The background is a mix of umber and yellow.

techniques