plate no. 0841

Portrait of Charles De Rechignevoisin in Armour with a White Lace Collar and a White Sash

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurearmorlacesashmale

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as practice blending and layering to achieve smooth transitions and realistic skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral tone, creating the oval shape.
step 03
Establish the basic values of the face, armor, and sash using thin washes of color.
step 04
Gradually build up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Define the details of the armor, including highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Carefully render the lace collar and sash, focusing on the intricate patterns and textures.
step 07
Add the small details like the gold trim and the studs on the armor.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to the values and colors.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and burnt sienna. Add titanium white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Use small amounts of yellow ochre and alizarin crimson to warm up the skin tones.

techniques

·portrait painting
·glazing
·value study
·blending
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Neglecting subtle variations in skin tone.
→Getting lost in the details of the lace before establishing the overall form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue)
·Round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 6, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife