plate no. 2345

Portrair of Benoit Chasseriau

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark areas of the background and clothing with thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones on the face, gradually building up the form.
step 04
Mix and apply the highlights on the face, paying attention to the direction of the light.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the white collar, carefully observing the subtle shadows and highlights.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust edges for sharpness.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, umber, and a touch of yellow ochre. Dark areas are created by mixing black and umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the darks.

techniques