plate no. 1045

Sir Isaac Holden

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurebeardchairbooksinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness. It also offers practice in rendering textures like fabric and hair using visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar color.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the background, clothing, and skin tones.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the beard, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Develop the details of the clothing, chair, and background elements.
step 07
Adjust values and colors to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and black for the clothing and background. Use white with small amounts of red and yellow ochre to create skin tones. Mix white with a touch of black and blue for the beard.

techniques