plate no. 3787

Robert Goldsborough and Family

oilRococoportraitfiguresportraitclothingbustcolumnfamily

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of fabric textures and details. It also provides practice in creating a complex composition with multiple figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 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 values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin developing the skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Work on the clothing, focusing on the folds, textures, and details of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the background, including the column and bust.
step 06
Refine the facial features and expressions of the figures.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian · raw umber

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and white for the cooler tones in the clothing and background. Add raw umber to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques