plate no. 1932

Dan Cowan

oil, canvasContemporary Realismportraitportraitmanboatwaterskyclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as practice blending techniques to create smooth transitions in skin tones and clothing folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and boat elements.
step 02
Establish the background sky and water with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the head, body, and clothing, using simplified color blocks.
step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of flesh tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing, capturing the folds and textures with careful brushstrokes and color variations.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, mouth, and beard, focusing on capturing the subject's likeness.
step 07
Paint the details of the boat, including the steering wheel, dashboard, and other elements, using accurate perspective and color.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · cerulean blue · ivory black

Mix various shades of yellow ochre and burnt umber with white to create the jacket. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky and water, adjusting the ratio for different values. Mix small amounts of cadmium yellow and raw sienna to brighten the yellow ochre.

techniques