plate no. 2419

Samuel Wesley (1766–1837)

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureinteriorfurnitureorgantable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering realistic textures and fabrics.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle color variations and highlights.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Render the background elements, such as the curtains and organ pipes, with soft edges and muted colors.
step 06
Add details to the furniture, including the table and chair, capturing the textures and highlights.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · viridian

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the red coat color by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt umber for shadows and white for highlights. Use viridian mixed with black and white for the green fabrics.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·rendering fabric
·creating depth

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones and losing the freshness of the paint.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth and form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (cadmium red, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, burnt umber, viridian)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags