plate no. 9959
Abraham Lincoln
LeRoy Neiman, 1968
some experience helpful
This painting is a great exercise in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form. Students will learn to simplify complex shapes into bold strokes of color.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face and background.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Start building up layers of paint with short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 04
Introduce secondary colors and highlights to define the form further.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the edges of shapes, varying the softness and hardness.
- step 06
Add details to the eyes and other focal points.
- step 07
Refine the background with expressive brushstrokes.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white · cadmium yellow
secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · black
Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, and white. Use ultramarine blue and white for the background, adding touches of green and purple for variation.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·directional brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Losing the overall value structure.
- →Focusing on details too early in the process.
- →Using too much paint on the brush, leading to a thick and uneven texture.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
- ·apron
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas is recommended for beginners.
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