plate no. 0844

Antonio Vera Mahedero

Alejandro Cabeza, 2003

oil, canvasContemporary Realismportraitportraitfigurechairmanclothinginterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and subtle light variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in color temperature and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 05
Paint the white shirt, using subtle variations in value and color to create form and depth.
step 06
Render the chair, paying attention to the highlights and shadows on the gold frame.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details.
step 08
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · raw sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker background tones. Mix white with a touch of yellow ochre and burnt umber for the white shirt.

techniques