plate no. 1301

Charles Wilson Peale 1741-1827

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinghistoricalchaircurtain

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as practicing subtle color blending to create realistic skin tones and fabric 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 and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the clothing.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Refine the details of the clothing, including the ruffles and embroidery.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the values and shapes.
step 06
Work on the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the highlights on the clothing and the details in the background.
step 08
Glaze to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark green of the jacket.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling
·layering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the clothing and background.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife