plate no. 2822

Thomas Pennant

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigurelandscapetreesbookclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practicing atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and the main elements of the background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the skin tones, clothing, background foliage, and sky.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the values and subtle color variations.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and highlights.
step 05
Work on the background, creating depth by layering colors and softening edges.
step 06
Add details to the hands and the book, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red; use ultramarine and burnt umber to create dark blues and browns for the clothing and background.

techniques