plate no. 7579

Portrait of Louis XV of France

Charles-Andre van Loo (Carle van Loo), 1728

oil, canvasRococoportraitfigureportraitroyalclothingcrownarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, fabric rendering, and creating a sense of depth and realism through light and shadow. The intricate details of the clothing and background will also challenge students to improve their fine motor skills and attention to detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of key elements like the crown and scepter.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure's clothing and skin tones.
step 03
Develop the light and shadow, paying close attention to the way light falls on the figure's face and clothing.
step 04
Begin adding details to the clothing, including the intricate patterns and textures.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Add the final details to the background, including the architectural elements and drapery.
step 07
Glaze layers to unify the colors and add depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · gold ochre · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve the rich blues by mixing ultramarine with a touch of black and white. Create the gold tones by mixing yellow ochre with burnt umber and white. Skin tones can be achieved using white, red, yellow, and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques

·portraiture
·fabric rendering
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early and losing sight of the overall composition.
→Failing to accurately capture the likeness of the subject.
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Not paying enough attention to the light and shadow, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 24x36
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, gold ochre, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags