plate no. 8977

Portrait of Louis d'Orleans

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitchilddraperyinteriorclothinglandscape

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 depict fabric and drapery with light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the head, hands, and drapery.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of color, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective of the landscape.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and drapery with broad strokes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the drapery, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as the lace collar and cuffs, and the buttons on the dress.
step 07
Refine the details of the hands and feet, paying attention to the anatomy and proportions.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

primary · crimson red · ivory black · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix various shades of red by combining crimson with burnt umber and a touch of black for shadows, and lighten with white and yellow ochre for highlights. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky.

techniques