plate no. 6545

Thomas, Lord Erskine

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanwigclothinghistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness, rendering skin tones, and depicting fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's proportions and pose on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the face, wig, and clothing with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic value structure of the face, focusing on highlights and shadows.
step 04
Refine the skin tones by layering and blending colors, paying attention to subtle variations.
step 05
Develop the details of the wig, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
step 06
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure without distracting from it.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use umber and black to create the dark background. Mix white with a touch of umber to create the wig color.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·layering
·value study
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the underlying value structure, leading to a flat and lifeless portrait.
→Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall composition.
→Using too much paint, obscuring the canvas texture.