plate no. 5870
Epes Sargent
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as blending techniques for smooth skin tones and fabric folds.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, column, and background.
- step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas using a thin wash of neutral color.
- step 03
Begin blocking in the local colors of the skin, clothing, and column.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the buttons, ruffles, and folds.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the column to create a sense of depth and form.
- step 07
Paint the background landscape with soft, blended strokes.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and realistic image.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine and burnt sienna to create neutral grays for shadows.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong
- →Overblending and losing form
- →Using colors that are too saturated
- →Ignoring subtle value changes
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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