plate no. 6715

Portrait of Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier and his wife

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitfiguresportraittablescientific instrumentsinteriorcolumns

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practice depicting drapery and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and the table, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of muted grays and blues, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the figures, starting with the darkest areas of the clothing and hair.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, using subtle variations of pink, yellow, and white to create a realistic effect.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights in the fabric.
step 06
Paint the table and scientific instruments, focusing on accurate rendering of their shapes and textures.
step 07
Refine the details of the faces, adding subtle shadows and highlights to capture the likeness of the subjects.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, ensuring that all elements are cohesive and balanced.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create various shades of gray for the background and shadows.

techniques