plate no. 5235

Football Hero

Norman Rockwell, 1955

oil, canvasRegionalismgenre paintingfootballcheerleaderportraitfiguressportsvintage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering realistic textures of clothing and equipment. It also emphasizes the importance of capturing subtle expressions and interactions between figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and objects, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main colors of the background, figures, and objects, using thin washes of paint.
step 04
Gradually build up the layers of paint, adding details and refining the forms.
step 05
Pay close attention to the skin tones, using a variety of colors to create a realistic and nuanced effect.
step 06
Render the textures of the clothing, equipment, and other objects, using different brushstrokes and techniques.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the facial features, hair, and small accessories.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix white with yellow ochre and a touch of red for the skin tones; use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark greens; mix white with a touch of burnt umber for the off-white clothing.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·blending
·layering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figures
→Overblending the skin tones
→Failing to capture the subtle expressions
→Inaccurate rendering of the textures

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, viridian green, raw sienna)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags