plate no. 6572

Frederick William Hervey

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigureclothingbookchairdrapery

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and creating a sense of depth through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle color variations and highlights.
step 04
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery and how they interact with the light.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the drapery and chair.
step 07
Paint the book, paying attention to the texture of the pages and cover.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Achieve darker tones by adding black or burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows.

techniques

·portrait painting
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong
→Overtly blending colors resulting in a flat look
→Ignoring subtle color variations in skin tones
→Failing to create a sense of depth

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, cadmium red light, titanium white, yellow ochre, raw sienna, ultramarine blue)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags