plate no. 4317
Boy in a street in Pompeii
Wenzel Tornøe, 1878
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict clothing and textures with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the steps.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Start building up the details of the face, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Work on the clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 05
Paint the background and steps, using a similar approach to the clothing.
- step 06
Add highlights and refine the details of the face and clothing.
- step 07
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add depth.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red
Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white. Use small amounts of blue and red to create cooler and warmer tones.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
- →Neglecting the importance of accurate proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Ignoring the texture of the clothing and background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Prepare the canvas with gesso before painting.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
