plate no. 4559

Constant Lambert as a Christ's Hospital Schoolboy

George Washington Lambert, 1916

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitboyclothingbackgroundfigureschool uniform

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering different textures, such as fabric and skin.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the boy and the background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Develop the background, creating depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and form.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Create the background blue by mixing ultramarine with white and a touch of black.

techniques