plate no. 4062

Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurerobeschaircrowndrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering complex textures and drapery folds. Students will also learn about color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and the subtle variations in the dark fabrics.

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 objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, focusing on the subtle gradations of light and shadow.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Work on the clothing, building up layers of color to create the texture and folds of the fabric.
step 06
Add details to the lace collar, crown, and other decorative elements.
step 07
Refine the hands and other exposed skin, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · burnt sienna · gold

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the dark blacks by mixing ivory black with a touch of raw umber or burnt sienna for warmth. Use thin glazes of burnt sienna and gold to create the metallic sheen of the robes and crown.

techniques