plate no. 8942

Portrait of Charles Hanbury Williams

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingchairpaperwig

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as techniques for rendering fabric and textures with subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of color, gradually building up depth and subtle variations.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the clothing, hair, and face, using simplified color masses.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create form and expression.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds, textures, and embellishments.
step 06
Paint the hands and paper, focusing on accurate anatomy and realistic rendering of the materials.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and dimension of the painting.
step 08
Apply final glazes and adjustments to unify the colors and create a polished finish.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use cadmium red light to create the red sash, adjusting the hue with yellow ochre and burnt sienna for highlights and shadows.

techniques