plate no. 8327

Portrait of G. F. Reverdin

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurehairclothingfaceneckwear

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, capturing likeness, and rendering skin tones with subtle variations. It also provides practice in depicting hair texture and creating depth through value contrast.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and hair.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of burnt umber, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light flesh tones, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the hair with layers of dark brown and lighter highlights, using short, curved brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 05
Paint the clothing with dark tones, adding subtle highlights to create form.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness.
step 07
Add details to the neckwear and any other accessories.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green

Mix flesh tones by combining titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create dark browns and blacks. Add small amounts of viridian green to the neckwear.

techniques