plate no. 6986

Benjamin Franklin

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothinghistorical figuremalehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and creating subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and textures.

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 basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the background with a mid-tone gray, blending smoothly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with approximate skin tones, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 05
Develop the clothing, using lighter and darker grays to create form and folds.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using thin brushstrokes to suggest individual strands.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows on the face and clothing to create depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to achieve a realistic effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Grays are created by mixing white and black, with small amounts of umber or blue to adjust the temperature.

techniques