plate no. 5988

Portrait of Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothingwighistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and depicting fabric folds. It also offers 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 shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and overall pose.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, neutral tone, blending smoothly.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the face, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall color harmony.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the wig, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture and volume.
step 06
Work on the clothing, rendering the folds and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Add the decorative details on the clothing, such as the gold embellishments, using fine brushes.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final details to create a cohesive and polished work.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · raw sienna · gold

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Achieve the gold color by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber and a hint of metallic gold paint.

techniques