plate no. 9436

Reverend Charles Wesley (1707–1788), MA

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclerical collarwigbookchair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of fabric and hair. It will also provide practice in creating subtle gradients and soft edges.

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 figure, book, and chair.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of muted green and brown.
step 03
Establish the main value areas of the face, hair, and clothing using thin layers of paint.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle color variations and highlights.
step 05
Develop the details of the wig, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add details to the book and chair, including the texture of the leather and the stitching.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The background is a mix of umber, viridian, and white. Black is used sparingly, mostly for the clothing.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or unnatural appearance.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and shadow areas.
→Making the wig look flat and lifeless.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, cadmium red, yellow ochre, viridian)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels