plate no. 0646

Portrait of Sir Edward Dering

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremanclothingweaponhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and metallic details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Develop the skin tones, using layers of thin paint and subtle color variations.
step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Render the weapon and other accessories, capturing their texture and form.
step 08
Refine the painting, adjusting values and adding final details.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Darken colors with burnt umber and black. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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