plate no. 0635

Portrait of William Colyear, Viscount Milsington

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigurebooksclothingurnmale

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as techniques for depicting fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure, books, and urn, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the red coat, skin tones, background, and books.
step 03
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, focusing on highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Develop the details of the red coat, using variations in value and color to suggest the texture of the fabric.
step 05
Paint the books, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and texture.
step 06
Add details to the lace and other embellishments on the clothing.
step 07
Refine the background and the urn, adding subtle details and highlights.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · burnt sienna

Achieve the red coat's depth by mixing cadmium red with varying amounts of burnt sienna and ivory black. Skin tones are achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red, with small amounts of raw umber for shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering
·blending

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value in the red coat.
→Ignoring the importance of highlights and shadows in creating form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints: cadmium red, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, raw umber, burnt sienna
·assorted round and flat brushes
·linseed oil
·palette
·palette knife
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags