plate no. 7376
Antonio Buero Vallejo
Alejandro Cabeza, 2015
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using a limited palette to create depth and form. It also provides practice in layering and blending oil paints to achieve subtle tonal variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to refine the skin tones, focusing on subtle shifts in value.
- step 05
Develop the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to their shapes and placement.
- step 06
Refine the clothing and background, using loose brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and expressive portrait.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · raw sienna · cadmium red light
Mix burnt umber and white for the base skin tones, adding small amounts of yellow ochre and cadmium red light for warmth. Use varying ratios of burnt umber and white to create the shadows and highlights.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Incorrect proportions, leading to a distorted likeness.
- →Ignoring subtle value changes, causing the form to appear two-dimensional.
- →Using too much paint, resulting in a muddy and overworked surface.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a high-quality canvas and oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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