plate no. 7052

Portrait of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor (1685-1740)

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitfigureportraitclothinglioncrowncolumn

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex textures like fabric and fur, and in creating realistic skin tones and facial features. It also provides practice in depicting ornate details and creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, lion, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, starting with the gold drapery and then moving to the architectural details.
step 04
Focus on the figure, building up the layers of color in the face, hair, and clothing.
step 05
Pay close attention to the folds and highlights in the fabric to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 06
Add the details of the lion, carefully rendering the fur and facial features.
step 07
Refine the details of the crown, table, and other accessories.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · crimson · gold ochre · ivory black

secondary · viridian green · raw umber · titanium white

Mix various shades of crimson with black and umber to create the deep reds of the coat. Use gold ochre and white for the drapery, and viridian green mixed with black for the leggings. Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, crimson, and ochre.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fabric
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→getting the proportions wrong
→overworking the details
→failing to create a sense of depth
→inaccurate skin tones

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 24x30
·oil paints (crimson, gold ochre, ivory black, viridian green, raw umber, titanium white)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags