plate no. 5033

Henry Cowper, Clerk Assistant in the Parliament Office (1785–1826)

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portrait proportions, value shading, and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in creating subtle skin tones and rendering clothing folds.

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 head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the background with a dark, muted color.
step 04
Begin painting the face, focusing on accurate skin tones and subtle value changes.
step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and adjust the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by combining white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use ivory black and raw umber for the dark clothing, adding white for highlights.

techniques