plate no. 7155
Captain C.P.J. O'Kelly
Frederick Varley, 1918
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and muted greens, and creating form with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a subject and simplifying details.
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 figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas of the background, uniform, and skin tones.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Develop the details of the uniform, including buttons, straps, and insignia.
- step 06
Add subtle color variations and highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the figure to create a sense of form.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive composition.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · sap green · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Mix muted greens by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Achieve skin tones by blending titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and a small amount of burnt umber.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Creating overly saturated colors that detract from the muted palette.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle value shifts that create form and depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use a limited palette to achieve the muted tones of the painting. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified color scheme.
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