plate no. 6535

John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich

oil, canvasRococoportraitfigureportraitbuildingcolumnclothingsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabrics, as well as atmospheric perspective for the background building.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main value structure with a thin wash of color, defining light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the local colors of the figure's clothing and skin tones, paying attention to color temperature.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the gold trim and lace, using small brushes.
step 06
Paint the background building, using atmospheric perspective to create depth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 08
Glaze and adjust colors as needed to achieve a harmonious and realistic effect.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Mix various shades of brown and grey by combining raw umber, ivory black, and white. Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and white, adjusting the proportions for different areas of the face. Create the green sash by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and white.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or muddy colors.
→Lack of attention to detail in the clothing.
→Ignoring atmospheric perspective in the background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium yellow, viridian, ultramarine blue, cadmium red)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags