plate no. 0166

Portrait of Thomas Howard

oil, woodNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitfigureclothingfurhatstaff

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in depicting complex fabrics and fur.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and allow it to dry.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, clothing, fur, and hat.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions and realistic skin tones.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 06
Develop the textures of the fur and clothing with careful brushwork and layering.
step 07
Paint the details of the chain and other accessories.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add final highlights and shadows.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Fur is created with layers of white, umber, and black, blended to create a soft, textured effect.

techniques