plate no. 4636

Sir Joseph Banks

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredeskglobewindowbooks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also offers practice in creating atmospheric perspective and depicting complex objects like the globe.

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 main shapes: the figure, desk, globe, and background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Paint the globe and other objects on the desk, capturing their form and surface details.
step 06
Work on the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and red by combining burnt sienna, raw umber, and cadmium red. Use titanium white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to create cooler shadows.

techniques