Simplified analysis of classical painting technique
The portrait of Susanna Lunded nee Fourment by Peter Paul Rubens
 Imprimatura & drawing |
 Shadow study |
 Grisaille & color |
White arrows: Being a real virtuoso Rubens usually skipped "dead" grisaille layer (shown on the neck and the shoulder) incorporating it partially in the next one. Green arrow: flesh color looks flat on this stage without glazes and highlights. Around the left eyelid you can see imprimatura and umber shadows glowing through the flesh colors. |
 Burnt Umber of Shadow Study and Imprimatura are glowing through the upper layers. |
 Shadow Study and Imprimatura are left almost untouched above the temple. Blue reflection on the jaw (from the sky on the background) was done during Live Color Stage. |
 Finished painting |
Bluish Half-Tones of skipped by Rubes "dead layer" are masterfully mixed in the "live color layers". |
