plate no. 4728

Squire John Wilkinson

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigurelandscapetreesclothingfoliage

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the major color areas, starting with the background landscape and then moving to the figure.
step 04
Refine the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures.
step 06
Add the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Work on the details of the tree and foliage, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · viridian · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix greens by combining blue and yellow.

techniques