plate no. 9406

Reverend Thomas Kerrich

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingfurletterbackground

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as blending techniques for skin tones and rendering textures like fur and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted color, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Carefully render the fur collar, using short, broken brushstrokes to simulate the texture.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Paint the letter in the hand, suggesting the texture of the paper and the faint writing.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding finishing touches to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red and blue. Achieve the dark background by mixing black, umber, and blue. The fur is created with various mixtures of white, umber, sienna, and yellow ochre.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering fur texture

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value, making the portrait look unrealistic.
→Neglecting the details of the clothing and fur, which can detract from the overall realism.