plate no. 0754

Portrait of the Cleric Charles Hodge

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremanclericglassesclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, capturing likeness, and subtle blending of skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering textures like hair and fabric.

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 clothing.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and red.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, clothing, and collar.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the highlights and shadows on the face to create form and depth.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to suggest individual strands.
step 07
Refine the clothing and collar, paying attention to the folds and creases.
step 08
Add final details such as the glasses and any subtle highlights.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Vary the proportions to create highlights and shadows. The background is a mix of burnt umber and red, lightened with white in some areas.

techniques