plate no. 6054

Charles Pelham

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguretableclothingcurtainwriting implements

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, and also in depicting textures of fabric and other materials.

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 objects.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, paying attention to the subtle gradations.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, clothing, and hands.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle shading.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds, buttons, and lace.
step 06
Add details to the hands and writing implements, 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 · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber for shadows. Achieve the fabric colors by mixing earth tones with white and small amounts of red or blue.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·rendering fabric
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure
→Overly harsh or muddy skin tones
→Lack of attention to detail in the clothing
→Ignoring subtle value changes
→Getting lost in details too early

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags