plate no. 8166

Portrait of Jules Mazarin (1602-61)

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfigurerobecurtaincolumninterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating depth through value and color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main shapes with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall composition.
step 03
Establish the background with dark, muted tones.
step 04
Begin layering the robe, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns to create volume.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 06
Add details to the hands and other elements, such as the collar and curtain.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to deepen shadows and enhance highlights.
step 08
Add final details and refine edges for a polished finish.

color palette

primary · crimson red · ivory white · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Achieve the robe's rich red by mixing crimson with burnt sienna and a touch of raw umber for shadows. Mix ivory white with a touch of yellow ochre and raw umber for the collar.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and volume.
→Not capturing the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (crimson red, ivory white, raw umber, burnt sienna, payne's gray, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags