plate no. 2421

Portrait of Duval de l'Epinoy

pastelRococoportraitportraitfigurebooksglobeclothingfurniture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering fabric textures and subtle color transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and the main elements of the background.
step 02
Establish the basic skin tones and hair color, paying attention to the subtle variations in value.
step 03
Block in the large areas of the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 04
Develop the background, including the bookshelf, globe, and the wall, using soft blending techniques.
step 05
Refine the facial features, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the clothing to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Render the details of the lace, buttons, and other embellishments.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber; the fabric colors are achieved by mixing white with small amounts of umber, blue, and red.

techniques