plate no. 2651

Portrait of George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigurelandscapetreesskyclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds, as well as atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.

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 the figure's proportions and placement within the landscape.
step 02
Establish the background sky and landscape using thin washes of color, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure's clothing, using darker values to create form and shadow.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes to create a likeness.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the lace collar and cuffs, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 06
Develop the textures of the hair and fabric using a combination of blending and dry brushing.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red light and yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones and add subtle color variations to the clothing and landscape.

techniques