plate no. 3645
Cyril Smith
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and capture a likeness. It also encourages bold mark-making and understanding of color temperature to define shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face and figure.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color with broad strokes, focusing on the overall value and temperature.
- step 03
Start building up layers of paint, using thicker impasto strokes to create texture and dimension.
- step 04
Pay close attention to the direction of the brushstrokes to suggest the form of the face.
- step 05
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve a vibrant and expressive effect.
- step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller brushstrokes.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and contrast.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt umber · viridian green · black
Mix yellow ochre and cadmium red for warm skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create cool shadows and dark areas. White is used to lighten and create highlights.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·expressive brushwork
- ·alla prima
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy effect.
- →Losing the overall structure and proportions of the face.
- →Being too timid with the brushstrokes.
- →Ignoring the importance of color temperature.
- →Focusing too much on detail too early.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·palette paper
- ·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 or 18x24) is recommended for this project.
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