plate no. 0172

Thomas Lane

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguretablebookscolumndrapery

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations to create form. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fabric and wood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of light and shadow using a limited palette of neutral tones.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in value to create a realistic likeness.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Render the table and other objects in the background, focusing on their form and texture.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition.
step 08
Add final details to the face, clothing, and background.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Achieve the various shades of gray and brown by mixing ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white in different proportions. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber to add warmth to certain areas.

techniques