plate no. 4007

Sir John Arthur Godwin

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingchairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. Students will also practice layering and blending techniques to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones, layering different shades and blending carefully.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Work on the clothing, adding details and texture.
step 06
Paint the background, creating depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the figure and clothing.
step 08
Refine the painting, making adjustments as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of red and yellow. Create darker values by adding black or ultramarine blue. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights.

techniques