plate no. 0252

William Cuthbert Blackett

Ralph Hedley, 1912

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanchairbookstable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting textures of clothing and subtle light variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and objects.
step 02
Establish the background color and general tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the suit, face, and hands.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the books, table, and other objects.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and red for the suit and background. Use white and small amounts of red, yellow, and blue to create realistic skin tones. Mix browns with blues and blacks for shadows.

techniques