plate no. 0885

Benjamin Edmonstone (1765–1841)

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothingbooksbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting helps develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. Students will also practice blending techniques to create smooth transitions and subtle variations in color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of red and brown tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the head, clothing, and hands.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, including folds, buttons, and textures.
step 07
Paint the books in the background, focusing on their shape and color.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ivory black and burnt umber for dark areas of clothing and background. Mix red and brown for the background.

techniques