plate no. 3732
Prince Balthasar Carlos
Diego Velázquez, 1639
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering complex textures in clothing. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic proportions and composition.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Start with the background, establishing the dark tones and subtle variations.
- step 04
Move on to the figure, beginning with the face and hands, paying close attention to skin tones and highlights.
- step 05
Develop the clothing, carefully rendering the intricate details and textures.
- step 06
Refine the details of the drapery and table, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 07
Add the final details, such as the jewelry and hat.
- step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue
Mix blacks and browns with small amounts of blue to create depth. Use white and yellow ochre to create highlights. Mix red and white for the face.
techniques
- ·grisaille underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to capture the subtle value changes in the skin tones.
- →Making the clothing look flat and lifeless.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A toned canvas (e.g., with burnt umber) can be helpful for establishing the overall value structure.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Girl with a Straw Hat
Judith Leyster
Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten
Abraham Storck
Bathsheba Bathing
Francesco Solimena
Repentant Peter
Guido Reni
Itinerant Musicians
Jacob Ochtervelt
Marie Christine
Marcello Bacciarelli
Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli
Giulio Cesare Procaccini
Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict
Philippe de Champaigne