plate no. 1128
Mieszko the Old
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting textures and details in clothing and accessories.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and medal.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of neutral tones.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, beard, and clothing.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create depth and form in the face, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Add details to the hair and beard, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the clothing and medal, adding details and highlights to create a sense of realism.
- step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious composition.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use cadmium red to create the red tones in the clothing. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue and ivory black to darken the colors.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·value control
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for layering and blending.
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