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This video series by artist and instructor Diana Buitrago, will guide artists through a step-by-step process copying one of Velazquez’s most acclaimed works: The Jester Don Diego de Acedo, from start to finish. It has been said that the series of portraits of Velazquez’s closest friends (who were also part of the court of Philip IV of Spain) are the best examples of Velazquez’s truthful naturalism and genius composition.

This particular portrait involves two environments; a suggested landscape in the background and a developed still-life in the foreground, allowing time to talk about each element of the composition. Throughout the process of copying the painting, this series studies portrait fundamentals such as anatomy, structure, light, and form.

This series is ideal for anyone looking to learn about portrait fundamentals and composition. The class will provide a strong emphasis on large shape construction, value structure, and color harmonies found in larger compositions. The instructor will work with a limited palette of Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red Light, Black and White.

Session 1: Introduction to the class, Transfer and Block-in Demo
The class is painting Velazquez’s “The Jester Don Diego de Acedo.” In this first session, instructor Diana Buitrago will begin by analyzing the reference’s composition and discussing the choices of canvas support and ground for this project. Students will learn through demonstration how to make an efficient and clean oil transfer. The session ends with reinforcing the transfer drawing by painting in some of the darker shapes in preparation for the next session.

Session 2: Color Study
In this session the focus will be color. Diana will start the demo talking about the organization of her palette and the three aspects of each color, namely hue, value and chroma. Students will then learn about the different brushes and materials needed for the painting process. Diana will demo a complete color study step by step with explanations about the color relationships that exist in this particular painting.

Session 3: Portrait Painting
The focus of this session will be on painting the portrait. Diana will explain facial structure and how the light falls across the forms of the face. Diana will emphasize an understanding of anatomical points based on the cranial anatomy and planes of the head. Throughout the demonstration students will learn how to apply paint and mix accurate flesh colors.

Session 4: Foreground, Still-Life
Session 4 will progress the painting towards the foreground elements. In this particular painting the objects are rendered in bigger shapes and open flat lighter tones for the lights. Students will learn how to simplify complex forms and avoid unnecessary details to create simple tonal masses and shapes that represent objects.

Session 5: Background and Landscape elements
This session will be dedicated to elements in the landscape and atmospheric perspective. Traditionally, in landscape painting, the sky will be the first thing established in a landscape. However, Velazquez has left the background loose until the end. Diana will mimic this approach in creating this portrait.

Session 6: Final Pass
In this final session, with every aspect of the picture having been painted, Diana will turn her attention to a final pass. This fundamental time with a nearly completed painting is an opportunity for revision and final touches using methods such as glazing, scumbling, and impastos.