plate no. 2081

Portrait of John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingfurnituredraperyinterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice in depicting complex textures and fabrics with subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes, creating depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and clothing with simplified color masses.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the fur trim, embroidery, and folds of the fabric.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the furniture and other objects to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ivory black · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, ivory black, and titanium white. Create the red fabric by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt umber for shadows and titanium white for highlights. Mix gold with yellow ochre, burnt umber and a touch of cadmium red.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions of the figure.
→Overworking the details before establishing the overall composition.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unrealistic.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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