plate no. 8736

Portrait of George, Baron Goring

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurearmorhaircollarmale

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering metallic surfaces and creating a sense of depth through 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, focusing on the head, shoulders, and armor.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and ochre, creating a gradient from dark to light.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, collar, and armor, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Develop the highlights and shadows on the armor, using a combination of blending and dry brushing to create a metallic effect.
step 06
Add details to the hair, collar, and armor, such as individual strands of hair and rivets on the armor.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall depth and richness.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, ochre, and white. Use small amounts of crimson and yellow to add warmth to the skin tones. Create metallic highlights by mixing white with a touch of black or gray.

techniques

·portrait drawing
·value study
·glazing
·dry brushing
·blending

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face and body
→Overblending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance
→Failing to capture the subtle shifts in value and color
→Inaccurate rendering of the metallic surfaces

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt sienna)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife