plate no. 1787

The Honourable Thomas Charles Reginald Robartes

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinginteriorwood paneling

some experience helpful

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.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, focusing on the wood paneling and subtle variations in tone.
step 04
Begin refining the figure, starting with the face and hands.
step 05
Layer in details, such as the clothing, accessories, and facial features.
step 06
Pay close attention to the light and shadow to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the edges and details to achieve a realistic effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall impact.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · purple

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson to create subtle color variations in the shadows and skin tones.

techniques