plate no. 5457

Mr. John Williams

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigurelandscapetreesclothingsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as blending techniques for soft backgrounds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the oval composition and the basic proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with thin washes of color, establishing the sky and landscape.
step 03
Establish the dark values of the clothing with a mix of black and brown.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the details of the lace collar and cuffs using small brushes and light colors.
step 07
Paint the details of the hair, capturing the highlights and shadows.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve dark blacks by mixing ivory black and burnt umber. Create the sky with white and ultramarine blue, and the landscape with various greens and browns.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff or unnatural appearance.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels