plate no. 9550

Portrait of Alexandre-Jean-Joseph Le Riche de La Pouplinière

pastelRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothingwigrococo

experienced study

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness, rendering skin tones, and creating soft, diffused lighting effects. It also provides practice in depicting complex textures like fabric and hair.

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 wig.
step 02
Establish the background with a soft, blended layer of blues and grays.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light, medium, and dark tones, focusing on accurate placement of features.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, using subtle variations of pinks, yellows, and blues.
step 05
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows that create form.
step 06
Paint the wig, using short, curved strokes to suggest the texture of the hair.
step 07
Add the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights that define the fabric.
step 08
Refine the details and add any finishing touches, such as the lace collar and subtle highlights.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black · raw umber

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and black to create the dark blues of the coat. Mix white with a touch of black and blue for the wig.

techniques