plate no. 3031

Portrait of Thomas Cromwell

oil, panelNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitfiguretabledocumentsclothingbackground

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle value gradations for realistic skin tones, and rendering textures like fur and fabric. It also provides practice in depicting details like hands, jewelry, and objects on a table.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, table, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle shifts in value and color temperature.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, fur collar, and hat, focusing on accurately rendering the textures and folds.
step 05
Paint the background, table, and objects on the table, ensuring they recede into the background and don't compete with the figure.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition, color, and value to achieve a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

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

secondary · Prussian blue · burnt sienna · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to create subtle variations. Darken colors with ivory black and lighten with titanium white. Use burnt sienna to add warmth and Prussian blue to cool down colors.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions
→muddy skin tones
→overworking details
→neglecting the background
→poor value structure

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt sienna, Prussian blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette knife