plate no. 0209
Boy from Ardeal
George Demetrescu Mirea, 1917
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to use a limited palette to create a harmonious and expressive image.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and shadows on the face and clothing with thin washes.
- step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights on the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color temperature.
- step 04
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and movement.
- step 06
Develop the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and white. Add small amounts of red to create warm skin tones, and black to create cooler shadows.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impression.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red light, ivory black)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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