plate no. 3303

Mr.and Mrs.Thomas Mifflin

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurestableinteriorclothingcolumn

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding classical composition and creating depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, gradually blending to lighter areas near the column.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, paying attention to the fall of light and shadow.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Paint the table and objects, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 07
Refine the details of the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · sap green

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber; create subtle variations by adding small amounts of blue or green. The dress is created by mixing white with a touch of blue and yellow ochre.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Getting proportions wrong
→Overblending and losing form
→Inaccurate skin tones
→Ignoring subtle value changes

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, sap green)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife