plate no. 1623

The Investiture of Herold as Duke of Franconia

frescoRococogenre paintingfiguresarchitecturedraperyskydoghistorical scene

advanced study

Recreating this painting would help students develop skills in rendering complex figures, drapery, and architectural details, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective and color harmony in a historical context.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions, paying attention to the perspective.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and forms with thin washes of color, focusing on the large areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Develop the figures, starting with the central figures and working outwards, paying attention to anatomy and drapery.
step 04
Add details to the architecture and decorative elements, using smaller brushes and finer lines.
step 05
Refine the colors and values, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Add the drapery and the sky.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the faces, hands, and textures.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the overall effect.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · cerulean blue · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create shadows by adding burnt umber or ivory black to the base color. Use thin washes of blue and white for the sky.

techniques