plate no. 2847

George Dance (1741–1825)

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghandface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through chiaroscuro.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of dark browns and blues.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and hands with thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 07
Add the details of the hand holding the brush.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of raw umber. Use ivory black and raw umber for the dark background, adding a touch of blue for depth.

techniques