plate no. 7802

Portrait of Dr Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802) scientist, inventor and poet, grandfather of Charles Darwin

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghandstable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and the main areas of light and shadow on the figure.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, mixing a range of values from light to dark and blending them smoothly.
step 04
Work on the clothing, paying attention to the folds and wrinkles in the fabric and the way the light interacts with the material.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, and refine the hair.
step 06
Paint the hands, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Add the details of the table and any other objects in the composition.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The clothing is primarily a mix of umber and black, lightened with white for highlights.

techniques