plate no. 3194

John Maddocks

Henry Herbert La Thangue, 1903

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingchairglasses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through subtle value changes and brushwork.

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 and chair.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and clothing with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, focusing on the highlights and shadows on the face and hands.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 05
Add the details of the chair and the glasses, ensuring they are accurately rendered.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and black with white to create the clothing and background. Use small amounts of red and yellow to warm up the skin tones.

techniques