plate no. 4308

Chow Choy

Robert Henri, 1914

oilAmerican Realismportraitportraitfigureclothingfanchildheadband

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding color temperature and brushwork techniques.

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 figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Block in the background with a light yellow wash, creating subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Establish the main color areas of the clothing, using a mix of blues and whites for the vest and white for the shirt.
step 04
Begin to develop the skin tones, using a mix of reds, yellows, and browns, and paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Paint the fan with reds and yellows, creating a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add the headband details with dark browns and golds.
step 08
Refine the brushwork and add final details, such as highlights and shadows, to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix skin tones using a base of burnt sienna and white, adding small amounts of red, yellow, and blue to adjust the color. Achieve the blue of the vest by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre.

techniques

·portraiture
·color mixing
·brushwork
·blending
·layering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the skin tones and losing the freshness of the brushwork.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Not paying attention to the subtle variations in color and tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, cadmium red light, ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife