plate no. 4048

Portrait of Henry Robinson

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingglasseshair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone variations, and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a focal point through value contrast and detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the background with a mid-tone brown, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light and shadow, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Develop the hair with layers of brown and gold, paying attention to the curls and highlights.
step 05
Paint the clothing with dark, solid colors, adding subtle folds and highlights.
step 06
Refine the facial features, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 07
Add the glasses, paying attention to the reflections and transparency.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The background is a mix of umber and black, lightened with white in some areas. Hair is a mix of browns, ochre, and a touch of red.

techniques