plate no. 7236

Portrait of Admiral D'Orvilliers

Charles-Andre van Loo (Carle van Loo), 1762

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigurearmormaleclothinghistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering metallic surfaces and subtle skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin tones, armor.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Begin layering the armor, focusing on the highlights and reflections.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair and clothing.
step 06
Add subtle glazes to unify the colors and create depth.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ivory black and raw umber for the background, and mix metallic tones with yellow ochre, white, and a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques