plate no. 3250

Sir Joshua Reynolds

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothingdraperychair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through value and color variations. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle color variations and highlights.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Paint the background drapery and chair, using soft blending techniques to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Refine the hands and other details, such as the hair and the scroll on the table.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Dark areas are created by mixing black and umber. The red drapery is a mix of cadmium red and burnt umber, lightened with white.

techniques