plate no. 3786

Portrait of Pierre Seriziat the artist's brother-in-law

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitfigureportraitclothinghatskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of light and shadow on the face and clothing. Students will also learn to mix subtle color variations and create smooth transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, clothing, background.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, such as the folds and buttons.
step 05
Work on the background, blending the colors smoothly.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the hat, gloves, and other accessories.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, a touch of red, and umber. Achieve the black coat by mixing ivory black with a touch of blue. The sky is a blend of white and blue.

techniques