plate no. 7249

Portrait of the Duke of Pastrana

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurehorselandscapedogclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere using tonal values and loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, horse, and dog.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and horse, paying attention to proportions and anatomy.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, hair, and clothing, using subtle variations in tone and color.
step 05
Add details to the horse and dog, capturing their unique characteristics.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows, creating a sense of volume and form.
step 07
Add final details, such as the sword, jewelry, and other accessories.
step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and add depth.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Use a limited palette of earth tones and blacks to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Mix small amounts of secondary colors to create subtle variations in tone.

techniques

·grisaille underpainting
·scumbling
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the figure.
→Creating a flat, lifeless painting by not paying attention to tonal values.
→Getting lost in the details of the clothing and accessories and losing sight of the overall composition.