plate no. 9756

Portrait of Napoléon on the Imperial Throne

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurethronerobecrowngold

advanced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering complex textures like velvet and fur, and understanding the use of light and shadow to create form and drama. It also provides practice in depicting intricate details and patterns.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 60 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a detailed sketch of the composition, paying attention to proportions and perspective.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the large areas of the robe, throne, and background.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to develop the values, creating a sense of depth and form.
step 04
Start working on the details of the face, crown, and other key elements, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 05
Develop the textures of the robe, fur, and gold, using a variety of brushstrokes and techniques.
step 06
Refine the details and values, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism and drama.
step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · crimson red · ivory white · gold ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Achieve the rich red of the robe by mixing crimson with a touch of burnt umber. Create the gold tones by mixing yellow ochre with burnt sienna and a touch of white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark background.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·rendering textures
·chiaroscuro
·drapery

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and form.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall harmony of the painting.
→Not capturing the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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