plate no. 8630

Robert Wood

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurecolumntablepaperclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice creating subtle gradations of color to model form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the head, hands, and column.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown, gradually building up the tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure's clothing with a mid-tone red, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, starting with the eyes, nose, and mouth, and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add the details of the wig, using short, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the hair.
step 06
Paint the details of the clothing, including the gold embroidery and lace cuffs.
step 07
Add the details of the table, paper, and inkwell, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of red by combining cadmium red with burnt umber and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to create the gold embroidery. Add small amounts of ivory black to darken colors and create shadows.

techniques