plate no. 5602

Dimas Fernández-Galiano

Alejandro Cabeza, 2016

oilContemporary Realismportraitportraitfiguremanglassessuittie

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with loose brushstrokes. It also provides practice in color mixing and value control to create a harmonious and realistic depiction.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and main features.
step 02
Establish the background color with thin washes of brown and umber, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with broad strokes of color, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with more precise brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the clothing, using similar techniques as the face, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 06
Refine the details of the painting, such as the hair, glasses, and tie, adding highlights and shadows as needed.
step 07
Adjust the overall color and value balance of the painting, ensuring that the different elements work together harmoniously.
step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Add small amounts of cadmium red for warmth and ivory black for cooler shadows. Use yellow ochre to create highlights on the skin.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·color temperature
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and form in the painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red light, ivory black, yellow ochre)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags