plate no. 9522

Portrait of Alphonse Leroy

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitmandeskbooksscientific instrumentfeather

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It will also improve their understanding of chiaroscuro and creating depth through value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, desk, and objects.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and the main shadows on the figure and objects.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones using thin layers of paint, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 04
Define the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 05
Render the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Paint the desk, books, and scientific instrument, capturing their textures and details.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark background. Mix red and umber for the jacket.

techniques