plate no. 2165
Drinking man
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and expression with loose brushstrokes, and understanding how to create depth using a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hat, and glass.
- step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone gray.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the hat, mustache, and background shadows.
- step 04
Begin layering in lighter tones to define the form of the face and clothing.
- step 05
Add the red accents to the nose and cheeks.
- step 06
Paint the glass and the wine, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes and mouth.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · gray · white · red · black
secondary · brown · pink
Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and a touch of brown. Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, and a small amount of yellow and brown.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·portraiture
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
- →Getting lost in details too early in the process.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Using a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils allow for more blending time.
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