plate no. 0421

Portrait of Anthony Ashley-cooper, 5th Earl of Shaftesbury

oilRococoportraitfigureportraitcolumnsstatuearchitectureclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering of fabrics, and creating a sense of depth through value and color variations. It also provides practice in depicting classical architectural elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, architecture, and statue.
step 02
Block in the background with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall tonal values.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones of the figure and statue, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the architectural elements, such as the columns and steps.
step 07
Develop the details of the statue, focusing on the anatomical forms.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red. Achieve the red of the cloak by mixing cadmium red with burnt umber and a touch of ivory black for shadows. Use ultramarine blue and yellow ochre to create the cooler tones in the background.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·drapery

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure or architectural elements.
→Overly saturated or unrealistic skin tones.
→Lack of depth and dimension in the clothing and background.
→Poor blending of colors, resulting in a muddy or uneven appearance.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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