plate no. 7737

Sir William Butts

oil, panel, temperaNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitfigureclothinghatchainhistorical figure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering subtle skin tones. It also provides practice in painting textures and details like the chain and clothing folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a neutral ground.
step 02
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions, paying attention to the angle of the head and facial features.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the background, clothing, face, and hat.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures.
step 06
Paint the chain, paying attention to the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add the inscription in the background with a fine brush.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and details as needed.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Achieve the dark clothing color by mixing ivory black and raw umber. Use yellow ochre and a touch of burnt sienna for the gold chain.

techniques