plate no. 4312

Arthur Clutton-Brock, Aged 10

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigureboyclothingheadbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as blending techniques for smooth skin tones and subtle shading.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the oval composition and the boy's pose, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing, and background.
step 03
Start with the background, blending browns and greens to create depth.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, using light and shadow to define the face.
step 05
Work on the hair, using short brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 07
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Refine the edges and add final highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian green · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, sienna, and a touch of umber. Use green and umber for the background foliage. Vary the proportions to create different shades.

techniques