plate no. 3689
Did You Ever Kill Anybody Father?
Frank Holl, 1883
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form using chiaroscuro.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Develop the background, starting with the darkest areas and gradually adding highlights.
- step 04
Refine the figure, paying close attention to the facial features and the folds of the clothing.
- step 05
Add details to the sword and other accessories.
- step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Add final highlights and details to the face and hair.
- step 08
Glaze to unify colors and add depth.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black
secondary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · sap green
Mix various shades of brown and red by combining burnt umber, cadmium red, and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark blues and blacks of the clothing. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering fabric
- ·dry brushing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Not paying enough attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a warmer base.
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