plate no. 7528

William Hayley (1745–1820)

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothingbackgroundface

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 using light and shadow.

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 and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color.
step 04
Define the features of the face, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 05
Paint the clothing, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Refine the background, creating depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Varnish the painting when dry to protect the surface and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Achieve the blue-grey of the coat by mixing ultramarine blue and burnt umber with white.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·blending

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones and making them look muddy.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags