plate no. 9111

Portrait of a Young Artist, presumed to be Jacques Andre Naigeon

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigureartistclothingbookshadows

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing light and shadow on the face and clothing. It will also improve their understanding of color mixing and brushwork techniques to create texture and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the book.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the large shapes of the clothing, face, and background.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add the details of the book, including the edges and any visible text.
step 07
Refine the background, softening the edges and adding subtle variations in color.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Darken shadows with burnt umber and a touch of ivory black. Mix greens for the background with yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and burnt umber.

techniques

·alla prima
·chiaroscuro
·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the importance of edges and transitions.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, raw sienna, ivory black, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags or paper towels