plate no. 9797

Caroline Philips, Lady Trevelyan with Her Son Charles, Later Sir Charles Philips Trevelian, 3rd Bt

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigureslandscapetreesclothingsky

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 atmosphere in a landscape background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and figures, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background landscape with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color and value relationships.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones of the figures, using a limited palette and focusing on accurate values.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the faces, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add the clothing, starting with the larger shapes and gradually adding details like folds and ruffles.
step 06
Paint the shawl, capturing its texture and the way it drapes over the figure.
step 07
Refine the background, adding details to the trees and sky.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and white for the shawl, adjusting the value with black or umber.

techniques