plate no. 8737

Robert Stewart, 2nd Marquess of Londonderry (Lord Castlereagh)

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigureclothingmanfacehistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and creating depth through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral color.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and clothing using thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin building up layers of color on the face, paying attention to subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, including the collar and fur, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details to complete the painting.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and add depth.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows. Create the dark background by mixing black and umber.

techniques