plate no. 2734

Denys Wortman Paints Thomas Hart Benton

Thomas Hart Benton, 1953

oilRegionalismportraitportraitfigureartistinteriordrawingtable

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding light and shadow in an interior setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, starting with the green wall and wooden door.
step 04
Focus on the figure, building up layers of color to define the form and features.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the values and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the face, hands, and clothing, refining the likeness and texture.
step 07
Render the objects on the table with care, paying attention to their shapes and reflections.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and realistic painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow

secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green · ivory black

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow, red, and a touch of blue or green. Achieve the green wall color by mixing viridian green with raw umber and white.

techniques