plate no. 4347

Bishop Benjamin Tucker Tanner

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingheadwearreligious figure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding light and shadow to create form. Students will also learn to mix skin tones and create depth using a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt sienna and umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows that define the form.
step 05
Paint the clothing with dark values, suggesting the folds and textures with subtle variations in tone.
step 06
Add details such as the hat and the small cross, using a fine brush.
step 07
Blend and soften edges where necessary to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by blending burnt sienna, raw umber, yellow ochre, and white. Use small amounts of cadmium red to add warmth to the cheeks and lips. Create darker values by adding ivory black to the earth tones.

techniques