plate no. 7981

John McArthur (1755–1840), Writer on Naval Topics

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanwritingtableclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding value and color relationships in a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, blended wash of browns and reds.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, hair, and clothing, using simplified values.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture and volume.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, including folds and buttons, and refine the shape of the collar.
step 07
Paint the hand and quill, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, and a touch of umber or yellow ochre. Darker tones are created by adding black or blue to the mix. The background is a blend of umber and red.

techniques