plate no. 9458

John Latham (1761–1831)

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurerobetablebuildingdrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding how to render fabric and textures with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through layering and glazing techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 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 atmospheric perspective and subtle color variations in the sky.
step 04
Refine the figure's features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 05
Add details to the robe and other objects, using layering and glazing techniques to create depth and texture.
step 06
Work on the drapery, capturing the folds and highlights.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the gold tones by layering yellow ochre and burnt sienna, and glazing with a transparent gold color if available. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the blacks and grays for the robe.

techniques