plate no. 8012

Ezekiel Goldthwait

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingwigdocument

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding chiaroscuro for creating depth and form. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fabric and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background with dark, muted tones, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the clothing, hair, and skin, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create a realistic likeness.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add highlights to the hair and clothing to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 07
Paint the hands and the objects they are holding, paying attention to the details and textures.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix burnt umber and ivory black for the dark background. Use titanium white to create highlights and lighter skin tones. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber and white for the clothing.

techniques