plate no. 9011

Portrait Of Federico De Madrazo

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfigureartisteaselclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form with brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and easel.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin tones, clothing, and easel.
step 03
Develop the background with loose, visible brushstrokes, varying the greens and browns.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to proportions and values.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the bow tie and flower, using darker values for shadows.
step 06
Paint the easel, capturing its wooden texture and form with varying shades of brown.
step 07
Add highlights to the face, hands, and easel to create a sense of light and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to values and details to achieve a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · viridian

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the background green by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and white. Use burnt umber and ivory black for the dark areas of the clothing and easel.

techniques