plate no. 1261

The serenade

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitfigureluteportraitclothinghatmusical instrument

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding dramatic lighting and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of the lute.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, paying attention to the dramatic lighting.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, clothing, and lute, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the ruff and the patterns on the jacket.
step 06
Paint the lute, paying attention to the wood grain and the details of the sound hole.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, and add any final touches.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · viridian · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the greens in the jacket by mixing yellow ochre with viridian and a touch of black. Use glazes of burnt umber to create shadows and depth.

techniques