plate no. 3523

Portrait of Cardinal Jean-françois Joseph De Rochechouart

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurecardinalrobetablebook

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering complex textures like fabric and lace.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the background, robe, and skin tones.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create depth.
step 04
Develop the details of the robe, including the folds, highlights, and shadows.
step 05
Paint the lace details, using thin layers and fine brushes to create the intricate patterns.
step 06
Add the details of the table and objects, ensuring they are in proportion and perspective.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting colors and values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix various shades of red for the robe by combining cadmium red with small amounts of ivory black and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and white for skin tones, adding small amounts of red and umber for shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering fabric
·rendering lace

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Difficulty capturing the likeness of the subject.
→Overworking the details of the lace.
→Uneven blending of skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (cadmium red, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 0-6)
·palette
·palette knife