plate no. 1082

Portrait of Carl Gustaf Tessin

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigurebooksfurnituremapglobe

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It will also provide practice in creating depth and form using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and main objects (desk, globe, etc.) onto the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on large shapes and overall value relationships.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle shifts in color and value to create form.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Work on the background elements, such as the books and drapery, using loose brushstrokes and muted colors.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Refine the details of the hands and the map, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to create a cohesive and finished painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the fabric colors by mixing raw umber, alizarin crimson, and white in varying proportions.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Incorrect proportions of the figure
→Muddying the colors by over-mixing
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, cadmium yellow light, alizarin crimson, ivory black, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·palette
·#2 round brush
·#4 filbert brush
·#6 flat brush
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits