plate no. 8308

John Wesley

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurebookclerical collardark background

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 light and shadow to create depth.

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 of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and book.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the background, the figure's clothing, skin tones, and the book.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows and lightest highlights to create a sense of form.
step 04
Refine the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle color variations and blending.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Work on the book, rendering the pages and binding with careful attention to detail.
step 07
Refine the clothing, adding folds and wrinkles to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of brown and black by combining raw umber, ivory black, and small amounts of cadmium red. Skin tones can be achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red, with small amounts of raw umber for shadows.

techniques