plate no. 0011

Ernest Martin Dence

Algernon Talmage, 1934

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingchairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric textures and subtle color variations in light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch to establish the basic proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, figure, and chair.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the fabric pattern.
step 07
Add the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and realistic look.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · gold

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ivory black and ultramarine blue for the darks in the suit. Add titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques