plate no. 1779

William Herschel

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistoricalhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as blending techniques for skin tones and creating depth with subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, paying attention to the light source.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, hair, coat, and background.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 07
Refine the clothing and background, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows and background tones.

techniques