plate no. 1902

Portrait of James Allen, merchant of the city of London

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothingdeskdocumentswriting implements

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of light and shadow on the face. It also provides practice in painting realistic textures, such as fabric and paper.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, paying attention to proportions and placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin tones, clothing, and desk.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to build up the values, focusing on the highlights and shadows on the face.
step 04
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Work on the clothing, adding details such as the buttons, collar, and cuffs.
step 06
Paint the desk and the objects on it, paying attention to their textures and colors.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the highlights in the eyes and the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix skin tones with white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Achieve the dark blues of the coat by mixing ultramarine blue and ivory black. Use burnt umber to create the warm tones of the desk and background.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·blending
·layering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
→Not paying attention to the light source and the way it affects the values.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt umber
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Easel