plate no. 0836

Portrait of Angelique Arnauld d'Andilly

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfigurenunreligious clothingfacehistorical

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice portraiture, focusing on subtle skin tones and rendering fabric folds. Students can also learn about creating a sense of depth through careful value control.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of dark brown or black paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the skin tones, the white habit, the black veil, and the red cross.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the white habit, using subtle variations in value.
step 06
Define the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and clothing to create a sense of volume and depth.
step 08
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, paying attention to the overall harmony and balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. The white habit uses white with subtle additions of raw umber and yellow ochre to create shadows and folds. The background is a mix of black and umber.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value in the clothing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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