plate no. 8045

Anthony Sandys, the Artist's Father

oil, woodRomanticismportraitportraitmanclothinghairfaceoval

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in creating subtle gradations of light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the oval shape and the basic proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and clothing using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying close attention to the shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Develop the clothing, using darker tones to create depth and form.
step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the portrait without distracting from it.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, burnt sienna, and small amounts of red, yellow ochre, and blue. Darken shadows with raw umber and ivory black. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black for the dark clothing.

techniques