plate no. 7710

Portrait De Joseph De Lassone

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurebooksclothinglacechair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportion and capturing likeness, as well as understanding subtle color variations to create realistic skin tones and fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, books, and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted browns and grays.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, clothing, and books.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric and lace.
step 06
Refine the details of the books and chair, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face and hair to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and black for the dark blue of the coat, adding white for highlights. Mix browns and yellows for the books.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·layering
·glazing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Over-blending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, leading to unnatural skin tones.
→Ignoring subtle value changes, resulting in a lack of depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red light, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags