plate no. 7105

Cardinal Manning

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfigurecardinalrobeschairreligious figure

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, warm red, varying the tone slightly to create depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the cardinal's robes, focusing on the overall shape and folds.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones, using layers of thin paint to create subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness.
step 06
Work on the details of the robes, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 07
Paint the gold chain and cross, using highlights to suggest the metallic sheen.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. The red robes are variations of cadmium red mixed with burnt umber and white for highlights and shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations in color.
→Failing to create enough depth in the background.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (cadmium red, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette

optional