plate no. 5347
Portrait of the Emperor Maximilian I
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering subtle skin tones. It also provides practice in painting textures and details, such as the gold chain and fabric folds.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and body, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background with a base layer of gold color.
- step 03
Establish the main values of the face, hair, and clothing using thin washes of color.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions in the skin tones.
- step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
- step 06
Paint the hat and clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
- step 07
Carefully render the gold chain and pendant, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
- step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final details.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · burnt sienna · gold
Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, raw umber, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red to add warmth to the cheeks and lips. Create the gold color by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt sienna and a metallic gold paint.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·rendering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle details of the face and clothing.
- →Making the gold chain look flat and lifeless.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium gloss
- ·metallic gold paint
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
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