plate no. 6444

Frank Woolnough, Ipswich Museum Curator

Frederick George Cotman, 1910

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingmustacheface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. Students will also learn about creating depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of red and brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the collar, tie, and jacket.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final details like the signature.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna · alizarin crimson

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. The background is a mix of burnt umber, alizarin crimson, and a touch of black.

techniques