plate no. 5834

Sir John C. Horsfall, Bt, Chairman of the County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanchairclothingfacial hair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, including capturing likeness and rendering form through light and shadow. It also offers practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere with a limited color palette.

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 chair, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, loose strokes of dark browns and blacks, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hands, and clothing, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the play of light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and chair, using thicker paint and more defined brushstrokes.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors where necessary to create a sense of atmosphere and realism.
step 07
Add highlights to the face, hands, and clothing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Review the painting as a whole and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · viridian · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Use cadmium red light to add warmth to the skin tones. Mix viridian with white and yellow ochre to create the teal color of the tie.

techniques