plate no. 6644

Portrait of the Drummond Family

oil, canvasRococoportraitfiguresportraitbooklandscapearchitectureclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and skin tone mixing, as well as rendering complex folds in fabric and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

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 figures and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and light.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds, textures, and embellishments.
step 05
Paint the background landscape, creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective and softening details in the distance.
step 06
Add details to the book, including the text and illustrations.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious image.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

secondary · viridian · raw umber · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red light, adjusting the ratios to create highlights and shadows. Mix greens using viridian and yellow ochre, and darken with a touch of raw umber.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figures
→Overly harsh or muddy skin tones
→Lack of depth in the background
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and light
→Getting lost in details too early

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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