plate no. 3658

André Theuriet

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardclothingneutral background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also offers practice in creating subtle value gradations and working with a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the angle of the head and the placement of features.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of neutral gray.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing, focusing on the overall value relationships.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, using subtle variations in color and value to create form and depth.
step 05
Add details to the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 06
Develop the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 07
Refine the background and edges, softening some areas to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create warm skin tones, and add small amounts of ultramarine blue to cool down the colors.

techniques

·portrait sketching
·value studies
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Failing to establish accurate proportions
→Using colors that are too saturated
→Ignoring the subtle value changes in the skin

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags