plate no. 2582

John Reid

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguremanwigclothinghistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone blending, and rendering of textures like hair and fabric. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin tones, hair, and clothing.
step 03
Focus on establishing the correct values (light and dark) in each area.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle color variations.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to create the texture of the curls.
step 06
Refine the details of the clothing, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of form.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the eyes, mouth, and any other small features.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the overall tone and add depth.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The background is a mix of umber and black, lightened with white in areas. Hair is a mix of white, umber, and a touch of blue.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the skin.
→Getting the values wrong, which can distort the form of the figure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Easel