plate no. 7295

John Allen

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigurebooksbustchairtable

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure, bust, and other elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 03
Develop the background, paying attention to the subtle gradations of light and shadow.
step 04
Begin to refine the features of the face, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, books, and other objects, paying attention to texture and form.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the glasses, the book in his hands, and the details on the bust.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten values and blue to cool down warmer tones. Red and yellow ochre can be used to create the chair and book colors.

techniques