plate no. 3339

Napoléon Bonaparte abdicated in Fontainebleau

oilAcademicismportraitfigureportraitclothingchairinteriordrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding how to render fabric and textures with subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Work on the clothing, building up layers of color to create depth and texture.
step 05
Paint the background, focusing on the subtle variations in color and tone.
step 06
Add details such as the buttons, chair, and other accessories.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red ochre, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the grays for the coat, varying the ratio for different shades.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or flat skin tones.
→Lack of depth in the clothing and background.
→Ignoring subtle value changes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (red ochre, ivory black, titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, yellow ochre, cadmium red)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags