plate no. 5826
Frederic Leighton, Baron Leighton
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere using a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Develop the background with gradual transitions of tone.
- step 04
Begin building up the form of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Refine the details of the hair, beard, and clothing.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 07
Carefully blend the edges of the forms to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
- step 08
Add final details to the face and hands to capture the likeness of the subject.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw umber, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to create subtle variations in the browns and grays.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much color and creating a muddy effect.
- →Not paying close enough attention to the proportions of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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