plate no. 3558

Woodbury Langdon

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurecolumnslandscapeclothingpaper

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice blending techniques to create smooth transitions and subtle shading.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on accurate proportions of the figure and placement of key elements like the head, hands, and columns.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using a limited palette of earth tones and gradually building up the form with layers of paint.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the play of light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the intricate patterns and textures of the fabric and trim.
step 06
Paint the hands and the paper, carefully rendering the folds and creases.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Create the dark clothing by mixing black and ultramarine blue.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure
→Overblending, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance
→Inaccurate skin tones
→Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall form

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags