plate no. 6462

Portrait of Jacques Louis David

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremanbookartistclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, capturing likeness, and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using chiaroscuro.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, book, and hand on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, even tone, leaving space for the figure.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with mid-tones, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Gradually build up the shadows and highlights on the face, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Paint the clothing and book, focusing on the folds and details.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, refining the likeness.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to enhance the form.
step 08
Add final details, such as the pen in the hand and the drawing on the book.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of red. Darken colors with ivory black and raw umber. Use white to create highlights.

techniques