plate no. 6709

Thomas Jefferson

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportion and subtle color blending for realistic skin tones. It also offers practice in rendering fabric and creating a sense of depth through value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted color, blending smoothly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light and shadow, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create realistic skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations.
step 05
Paint the hair, using short, directional strokes to suggest texture.
step 06
Define the clothing with darker values and subtle highlights.
step 07
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, ensuring accurate placement and proportion.
step 08
Refine the edges and blend the transitions between light and shadow for a polished finish.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow, umber, and small amounts of red and blue. The dark coat is a mix of black and blue. Use white to create highlights and add depth.

techniques