plate no. 9378

Portrait of Sir John Hynde Cotton, 3rd BT

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothingwigdrapery

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric folds and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions, paying attention to the placement of limbs and head.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the background, clothing, and skin tones with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations, focusing on highlights and shadows.
step 04
Define the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushstrokes.
step 05
Render the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery, and use highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Paint the wig, using a combination of light and dark tones to create texture and depth.
step 07
Add details such as buttons, cuffs, and any other accessories.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to the colors and values.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The blue drapery requires mixing ultramarine with white and a touch of black for shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·drapery rendering

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or flat skin tones.
→Lack of depth and dimension in the clothing.
→Poorly rendered facial features.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife