plate no. 3700

Portrait of the Duc de Broglie

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurearmordraperylandscapesky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering complex textures like hair and fabric. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere using subtle value and color shifts.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Start refining the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the armor, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of form.
step 05
Work on the drapery, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Paint the background landscape, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the hair and jewelry.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and white for the blue sash. Mix red with umber and white for the drapery.

techniques