plate no. 5249

Freeman Schermerhorn Clench

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness. It will also provide practice in blending and layering to achieve smooth transitions in skin tones and clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 06
Refine the background with subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to enhance the realism of the portrait.
step 08
Glaze to unify colors

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue. Use burnt umber and black for the dark areas of the clothing and background. Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the black.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·value studies
·layering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: ivory black, burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife