plate no. 2877

Joseph Farington

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothingbackgroundface

some experience helpful

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and the lighter areas of the face and clothing.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and buttons, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 06
Soften the edges and blend the transitions between different areas to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and clothing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of brown. Achieve the dark background by mixing black and umber. Use burnt sienna and red for the drapery.

techniques