plate no. 4860

Portrait of painter Constantin Lecca

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardoval frameface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle value transitions, and rendering realistic skin tones and facial hair. Students will also learn about creating a sense of depth and form through careful observation and layering of paint.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the oval frame and the basic proportions of the face, paying attention to the placement of features.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, hair, beard, background, and clothing.
step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, using subtle value changes to create form and dimension.
step 04
Work on the hair and beard, adding details and texture with small brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the eyes and other facial features, paying close attention to detail.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 07
Add final details, such as highlights and shadows, to enhance the realism of the portrait.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the tones and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark tones in the clothing and background. Mix white with a touch of raw umber and yellow ochre for the lighter tones in the beard and hair.

techniques