plate no. 2108

Portrait of the Young Teodoro Taunay

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremaleclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand value relationships in portraiture and how to create form with subtle shifts in tone. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and creating a focal point through contrast.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and placement of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral color, establishing the overall value range.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow shapes on the face, using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 06
Soften edges and blend transitions to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details, such as highlights in the eyes and subtle variations in skin tone.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining black, umber, and white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or burnt sienna to warm the skin tones. Use alizarin crimson sparingly for lips and cheeks.

techniques