plate no. 7008

The Reverend Canon Boyce

Julian Ashton, 1917

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclerical collarchairdark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering form through subtle value changes. It also provides 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 darkest and lightest values to create a value map.
step 03
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the background and the figure's clothing.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the hands and clothing, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 06
Refine the edges of the forms to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall effect, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining black, umber, white, and small amounts of red or yellow. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Use thin glazes to create depth and subtle color variations.

techniques