plate no. 1846

William Wilberforce (1759–1833)

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinghistoricalmalescroll

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding light and shadow to create form. Students will also learn to mix subtle color variations and create realistic textures in clothing and hair.

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, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of dark colors, indicating the drapery and light source.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, using a limited palette of skin tones and focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Refine the facial features, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, and paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
step 05
Paint the clothing, starting with the darkest areas and gradually adding highlights, creating the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to create the individual strands and highlights.
step 07
Paint the hand and scroll, paying attention to the foreshortening and the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors, ensuring that the painting has a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create deep shadows. Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the scroll.

techniques