plate no. 6572

The Academy

oilBaroqueportraitfigurestableinteriorportraitslutebooks

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering fabrics, and understanding chiaroscuro. It also provides practice in composing a scene with multiple figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on establishing the light source and the areas of highlight and shadow.
step 04
Develop the individual figures, paying attention to their proportions and facial features.
step 05
Render the fabrics and textures of the clothing and objects.
step 06
Refine the details, such as the lace collars, musical instrument, and books.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve the dark tones by mixing ivory black and raw umber. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for warm highlights. Mix small amounts of ultramarine blue into the shadows to create depth.

techniques