plate no. 4713

Francis Derwent Wood

George Washington Lambert, 1906

oilSymbolismportraitportraitfiguremanhanddark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and modeling form using a limited palette. It also emphasizes the importance of value contrast to create depth and drama.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hand, and torso, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background with a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the mid-tones on the face and hand, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Add highlights to the face and hand, using lighter shades of ochre and white.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Develop the form of the hand, paying attention to the knuckles and fingers.
step 07
Add subtle variations in color to the background to create depth.
step 08
Glaze the painting with a thin layer of medium to unify the colors and add a subtle sheen.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix burnt umber and ivory black for the dark background. Use yellow ochre and white for the skin tones, adding small amounts of burnt umber and cadmium red light for warmth.

techniques