plate no. 9748

George Washington (Gibbs-Channing-Avery portrait)

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinghistorical figurebackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle gradations of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the clothing.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Refine the features of the face, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the ruffles and buttons.
step 06
Work on the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · raw umber · viridian green

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red, with small amounts of raw umber for shadows. The background is a mix of viridian green, raw umber, and white.

techniques