plate no. 2372
Francis Horner
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to create form using subtle value changes. It also provides practice in portraiture and capturing likeness.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the figure, book, and background.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes of dark and light values using thinned paint.
- step 03
Establish the background color and its subtle variations.
- step 04
Develop the facial features, paying close attention to proportions and highlights.
- step 05
Refine the clothing and book, adding details and texture.
- step 06
Blend the edges of the forms to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
- step 07
Add final highlights and details to the face and hands.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre
Mix blacks and browns with red to create the background. Use white and yellow ochre to create highlights on the face and hands. Mix small amounts of red into the skin tones for warmth.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much white, resulting in chalky colors.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 16x20
- ·Ivory black oil paint
- ·Burnt umber oil paint
- ·Cadmium red oil paint
- ·Titanium white oil paint
- ·Yellow ochre oil paint
- ·Round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·Linseed oil
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for easier blending. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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