plate no. 0680

John Campbell, 4th Duke of Argyll

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigureclothingcrowncolumninterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering fabrics and textures, and creating a sense of depth through layering and glazing. It will also provide practice in capturing likeness and conveying character through facial expression and pose.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch, focusing on the proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the layers of paint, starting with the background and working forward.
step 04
Focus on accurately rendering the skin tones and facial features.
step 05
Pay close attention to the details of the clothing, crown, and other accessories.
step 06
Use glazes to create depth and luminosity in the shadows.
step 07
Add highlights to create a sense of form and volume.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · gold · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use thin glazes of umber and black to create shadows and depth. Mix gold with yellow ochre and a touch of brown for the clothing.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fabrics

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the paint and losing the sense of spontaneity.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of depth.
→Neglecting the details of the clothing and accessories.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Turpentine
·Palette knife
·Rags