plate no. 4629

Portrait of Robert Cheseman

oil, wood, temperaNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitfigurefalconclothinghandsjewelry

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as rendering textures like fur and feathers.

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 falcon.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, even tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, clothing, and hands.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the fur collar and sleeves.
step 06
Paint the falcon, focusing on the intricate feather patterns.
step 07
Add the jewelry and other small details.
step 08
Glaze and refine the painting to achieve the desired level of realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna · gold

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the dark background by mixing ivory black with burnt umber.

techniques