plate no. 7565
Paul Lemoyne
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone variations, and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through value and color.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing, and background.
- step 03
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in value and color temperature.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
- step 06
Work on the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use black and umber for shadows and hair. Mix blue and white for the collar highlights.
techniques
- ·portrait drawing
- ·value study
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the face and body.
- →Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
- →Lack of attention to detail in the clothing and background.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A limited palette will help maintain color harmony.
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