plate no. 4746
Alderman Walton Turner
Frederick George Cotman, 1903
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and clothing folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure and chair.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 03
Develop the background with subtle variations in tone and color.
- step 04
Focus on the face, carefully observing the highlights and shadows to create a realistic likeness.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
- step 06
Refine the hands and the book, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious composition.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red to create subtle skin tones.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·value study
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to simplify the initial stages of painting.
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