plate no. 9667

Portrait of Thomas Carlyle

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitmanbeardhairclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through subtle color variations and value contrasts.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a toned ground of burnt umber.
step 02
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the portrait, paying attention to the angle of the head and facial features.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the clothing and face.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the face and hair.
step 06
Work on the details of the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the clothing and background, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, ivory black, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques