plate no. 6954

Matthew Arnold

paperRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghairbeard

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in tonal shading and capturing likeness through careful observation of value relationships. It also provides practice in rendering textures like hair and fabric using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of features.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the portrait, such as the hair and clothing, using a dark value.
step 03
Begin to build up the mid-tones, paying attention to the subtle gradations of value on the face and clothing.
step 04
Use hatching and cross-hatching to create texture and depth in the hair and beard.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights to create a sense of form and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the overall values to create a balanced and harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and refine the edges of the portrait.