plate no. 6251

Portrait of Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck and his Family

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitfigureslandscapetreesfamilyportraitclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric, as well as creating atmospheric perspective in a landscape setting. Students will also learn to mix subtle color variations to create realistic skin tones and clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values of the background landscape, focusing on atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and clothing colors for each figure.
step 04
Refine the facial features and details of the figures, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including folds and textures.
step 06
Add details to the landscape, such as leaves, branches, and ground cover.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or cadmium red light to warm up the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue to create cooler shadows in the landscape.

techniques