plate no. 4977

Charles Howard, 11th Duke of Norfolk

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigureclothingcolumndraperycrown

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of fabrics and the play of light on different surfaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of depth and form.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Develop the textures of the clothing and drapery using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 07
Refine the background elements, ensuring they complement the overall composition.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to enhance the richness and depth of the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve the dark tones by mixing ivory black and burnt umber; lighten with titanium white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red to create warm skin tones, and ultramarine blue for cool shadows.

techniques

·Underpainting
·Glazing
·Scumbling
·Chiaroscuro
·Portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Losing the overall sense of unity and harmony.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (24x30 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·Linseed oil
·Turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Rags or paper towels