plate no. 4471

David Jonston

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingscarfhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding subtle value shifts to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones, layering colors and blending carefully.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in value and color.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery of the fabric.
step 06
Refine the background, creating a soft and atmospheric effect.
step 07
Add details such as the hair and the trim on the collar.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down skin tones and create shadows.

techniques