plate no. 9528

Portrait of Henry Middleton

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinghistorical figurechair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of fabric folds. 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 proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and umber.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the clothing and face with corresponding base colors.
step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights on the face, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the clothing, paying attention to the light source.
step 06
Add details to the hair, lace, and gold embroidery, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, adjusting values as needed.
step 08
Apply a final glaze to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium yellow

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and a touch of burnt umber. The blue coat is a mix of ultramarine blue and titanium white, with subtle variations achieved by adding small amounts of burnt umber or yellow ochre.

techniques