plate no. 3484

Earl's portrait of Elijah Boardman

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurebooksinteriorclothingfurniture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on accurate proportions of the figure and placement of key elements like the bookshelf and doorway.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using simplified forms and values.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value transitions.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add details to the bookshelf and other background elements, maintaining a sense of depth and perspective.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding highlights to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to enhance the colors and textures.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt sienna · Prussian blue

Mix various shades of beige and brown by combining raw umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use ivory black and titanium white for the blacks and whites, and add a touch of Prussian blue to the blacks to cool them down.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or abrupt value transitions.
→Neglecting the subtle details of the fabric textures.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and perspective.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt sienna, Prussian blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife