plate no. 6745

Sir John Freeman-Mitford, Baron Redesdale

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigurerobewigdraperyhistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fabric and hair.

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, shoulders, and robe.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the skin tones, the background, the robe, and the wig.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 04
Develop the details of the robe, including the gold trim and the folds of the fabric.
step 05
Work on the wig, using short, broken strokes to create the texture of the hair.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and tone.
step 07
Add final details, such as the lace collar and the jewelry.
step 08
Glaze and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

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

secondary · raw umber · burnt sienna · gold

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use raw umber and ivory black to create the dark tones in the robe. Mix gold with yellow ochre, burnt sienna and a touch of black for the gold trim.

techniques