plate no. 7269

Leonard A. Scott Stokes, PRIBA, RGM

William Orpen, 1912

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingbackground

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 how to depict fabric and clothing folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of gray and brown.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face, paying attention to the planes and shadows.
step 04
Start building up the colors of the coat, using layers to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add details to the face, refining the features and capturing the likeness.
step 06
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 07
Refine the background and adjust the overall values.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cerulean blue and cadmium red to create subtle skin tones. Yellow ochre can be used to warm up the coat color.

techniques