plate no. 9122
Portrait of Cardinal Ludovico di Vendome
Giovanni Battista Gaulli, 1667
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle value gradations for skin tones, and rendering soft textures like hair and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and collar.
- step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, clothing, and collar.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Develop the hair with loose, flowing brushstrokes, capturing the highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Add details to the collar and clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool shadows.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·value study
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the face and head.
- →Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
- →Lack of attention to the subtle value changes in the face.
- →Flat or lifeless hair.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth and luminosity of the colors.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Girl with a Straw Hat
Judith Leyster
Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten
Abraham Storck
Bathsheba Bathing
Francesco Solimena
Repentant Peter
Guido Reni
Itinerant Musicians
Jacob Ochtervelt
Marie Christine
Marcello Bacciarelli
Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli
Giulio Cesare Procaccini
Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict
Philippe de Champaigne