plate no. 5116

Dr. Nancy Harrington

oil, canvasContemporary Realismportraitportraitfigurechairclothingcoinface

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle color mixing for skin tones, and rendering realistic textures of clothing and objects. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through careful observation of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main shapes and values with a thin wash of color, focusing on the overall light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, using subtle color mixtures and blending techniques to create a smooth, realistic effect.
step 04
Work on the clothing, paying attention to the folds and wrinkles and how they are affected by light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere with soft, blended tones.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 07
Refine the details throughout the painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and realistic image.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of form and depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · raw umber

Skin tones are achieved through subtle mixtures of white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and small amounts of red and blue. The blue clothing is created by mixing ultramarine blue with black and a touch of white for highlights. The background is a blend of white, raw umber, and small amounts of other colors to create a muted, atmospheric effect.

techniques

·portraiture
·color mixing
·blending
·glazing
·rendering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or unnatural skin tones.
→Lack of attention to detail in the clothing and background.
→Insufficient blending, resulting in a choppy or unrealistic effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light, raw umber)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·palette knife
·rags