plate no. 7098

John Philip Kemble (1757–1823), as Richard in 'Richard III' by William Shakespeare

oilNeoclassicismportraitfigureportraitclothingdramainteriorcurtain

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and conveying emotion through facial expression and gesture. It also provides practice in rendering complex fabrics and textures.

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 the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark green and brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure's clothing and skin tones.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the patterns and textures.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the background and add any remaining details.
step 08
Apply a final glaze to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · red · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · titanium white

Mix various shades of red by combining red with burnt umber and a touch of black for shadows. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights on the skin and clothing. Create a range of greens by mixing blue and yellow.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Inaccurate color mixing, resulting in muddy or unrealistic colors.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (red, yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, ivory black, titanium white)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags