plate no. 7646

David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, Prime Minister

William Orpen, 1927

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingdeskpapers

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in capturing likeness, mixing realistic skin tones, and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of color, paying attention to the subtle gradations of tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using simplified color masses to define the form.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, layering colors to create depth and realism.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add details to the desk and papers, suggesting texture and form with careful brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and atmosphere.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · cerulean blue

Mix skin tones by blending raw umber, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium yellow and alizarin crimson. Use ivory black to darken shadows and create subtle variations in tone.

techniques