plate no. 7152

Hon. John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistorical figureformal wear

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in value shading, portrait proportions, and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in rendering textures of clothing and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying close attention to the facial features and their placement.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the hair, clothing, and shadows on the face.
step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Add highlights to the face, hair, and clothing to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Adjust the values and contrast as needed to create a balanced and harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details such as stray hairs and subtle wrinkles to enhance realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix ivory black and raw umber to create a range of neutral grays and browns. Use titanium white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Add a touch of yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones.

techniques

·value shading
·portrait drawing
·blending
·hatching
·cross-hatching

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions can distort the likeness of the subject.
→Over-blending can result in a flat and lifeless image.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in value can make the portrait appear unrealistic.
→Getting the eye placement wrong

materials

surface · drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)

required

·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
·kneaded eraser
·drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
·blending stumps
·ruler
·grid for proportions

optional

·charcoal pencils
·tortillon
·sandpaper block

Use a smooth or slightly textured drawing paper to allow for easy blending. A kneaded eraser is essential for lifting graphite and creating highlights.

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