plate no. 7916

Thomas Taylor, JP, of Wigan

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingchairbeard

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as practice with subtle color blending to create realistic skin tones and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of dark brown paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, clothing, and chair.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create depth and form in the face and hands.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar, tie, and buttons.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 07
Add details to the hair and beard, paying attention to the direction of the strands.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use raw umber and ivory black for dark areas, and add white for highlights. Create the chair color by mixing burnt sienna with a touch of black and red.

techniques