plate no. 9996

William Murray (1705–1793), 1st Earl of Mansfield

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurerobeschairwigdrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also offers practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and main elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Block in the main color areas: the red robes, the wig, the background, and the skin tones.
step 04
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the robes, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add details to the wig, using short, broken strokes to simulate texture.
step 07
Refine the background and other elements, adding details and adjusting values as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · red · white · brown · black

secondary · gold · grey · cream

Achieve the red by mixing a crimson or scarlet with a touch of brown or black to deepen the tone. Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and brown. Use grey and white for the wig.

techniques