plate no. 2567

William Drayton

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfigurebookcolumnsdraperyclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the proportions of the figure and the placement of the book and architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of color, focusing on the drapery and the sky behind the columns.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the head, torso, and limbs, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows that define the form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the buttons, collar, and folds of the fabric.
step 06
Add the details of the book, including the text and the texture of the pages.
step 07
Refine the architectural elements, including the columns and the entablature, paying attention to the perspective and the light.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the sky. Mix black and umber for the dark clothing, adding touches of red for warmth.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·blending

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and form.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags