apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·The Late Lord Mulgrave
The Late Lord Mulgrave by John Jackson

plate no. 2577

The Late Lord Mulgrave

John Jackson, 1814

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurechairclothingbookmale
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in rendering fabrics and creating a sense of depth through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and book.

  2. step 02

    Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar neutral tone.

  3. step 03

    Block in the main colors of the background, clothing, and chair, focusing on accurate color matching.

  4. step 04

    Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns.

  5. step 05

    Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.

  6. step 06

    Add highlights and shadows to the chair and book to create a sense of form.

  7. step 07

    Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, adjusting values and colors as needed.

  8. step 08

    Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and black by combining burnt umber and ivory black. Use white to create lighter tones and yellow ochre to add warmth. Mix red with brown and white to create the colors of the chair.

techniques

  • ·portraiture
  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·chiaroscuro
  • ·blending

common pitfalls

  • →Inaccurate proportions of the figure.
  • →Overworking the details too early in the process.
  • →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
  • →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·burnt umber oil paint
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·cadmium red oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
  • ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·raw sienna oil paint

Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Louis XV, King of France

Louis XV, King of France

Charles-Andre van Loo (Carle van Loo)

William James

William James

Joshua Reynolds

Wooded Landscape with Gypsies, Evening

Wooded Landscape with Gypsies, Evening

George Lambert

Head of a Scholar

Head of a Scholar

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo

Gentleman and Wife

Gentleman and Wife

William Williams

Portrait of Antoine Watteau

Portrait of Antoine Watteau

Rosalba Carriera

Portrait of Henriette of France, daughter of Louis XV

Portrait of Henriette of France, daughter of Louis XV

Jean-Étienne Liotard

Mr. John Williams

Mr. John Williams

Benjamin West