plate no. 2585

Portrait of Mehemet Said Pacha, Bey of Rumelia, special ambassador of the ottoman Sultan Mahmoud II

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothingfurniturebookscityscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering complex fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and surrounding elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Develop the background and cityscape, focusing on creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Refine the figure's face and hands, paying close attention to capturing the likeness and expression.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and accessories, such as the turban, robe, and jewelry.
step 06
Work on the furniture and books, rendering the textures and details accurately.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white, with small amounts of burnt umber and ultramarine blue for shadows. Mix burnt umber and ivory black for dark areas. Use glazes of ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create depth in the shadows.

techniques