plate no. 6956

the Duke of Guise and One of His Sisters, the Future Duchess of Magenta

canvas, oilRomanticismportraitfiguresportraitchairdraperyclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones, as well as rendering complex textures like fabric and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and the chair.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the background drapery, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Begin refining the features of the faces, working from general shapes to specific details.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the lace, ruffles, and folds.
step 06
Render the chair, capturing its form and the highlights on the gold.
step 07
Refine the details of the hair, creating texture and depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

primary · crimson red · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of red by combining crimson red, burnt umber, and ivory black. Create skin tones by blending titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
→Creating muddy or dull colors.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 24x30
·oil paints (crimson red, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, raw sienna, alizarin crimson)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife