plate no. 0045

William Fermor

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingmalehistorical

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice portraiture, focusing on accurate skin tones and rendering of fabrics. Students can develop skills in blending and creating subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of neutral tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures.
step 06
Add the details of the face: eyes, nose, mouth, and hair.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · raw umber

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · viridian

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, and umber with small amounts of yellow ochre. The red coat is a mix of cadmium red and a touch of umber. The background is a muted mix of umber and black.

techniques