plate no. 9602

William Pitt the Younger

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinghairmale

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and creating a sense of depth through layering and blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone brown, paying attention to the subtle variations in value.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face, using a limited palette of skin tones.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle details.
step 05
Paint the clothing, starting with the darkest areas and gradually adding highlights.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using loose brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding finishing touches.
step 08
Glaze and varnish (optional)

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and small amounts of alizarin crimson and cadmium yellow. The dark coat is primarily ivory black with touches of raw umber and ultramarine blue.

techniques