plate no. 2863

Portrait of Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigureclothingdraperyurncolumn

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of facial features, as well as techniques for depicting complex textures and patterns in clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure's clothing, using darker tones for the shadows and lighter tones for the highlights.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add the details of the clothing, including the gold embroidery and the blue sash.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details such as the urn and the column.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of brown and black for the clothing, using yellow ochre and cadmium yellow light to create the gold embroidery. Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sash. Use white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red for the skin tones.

techniques