plate no. 8956

Thomas Sandys

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurerobehairdraperycolumn

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds with light and shadow. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, hands, and robe.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, leaving areas slightly lighter where light hits the column and drapery.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the robe, using a mix of browns, oranges, and reds. Focus on capturing the overall shape and form.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns. Use thin layers of paint to build up the form.
step 05
Work on the hair, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and movement. Use darker tones in the shadows and lighter tones in the highlights.
step 06
Develop the folds and drapery of the robe, using a combination of blending and scumbling techniques. Pay attention to the way the light interacts with the fabric.
step 07
Add the details of the hands, paying attention to the anatomy and the way they interact with the robe.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, making adjustments to the values and colors as needed. Add any final details, such as highlights and shadows.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium orange · ivory black

Achieve the robe's color by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and a touch of cadmium orange. Use ultramarine blue and white for the shirt. Darken colors with ivory black.

techniques