plate no. 3709
George Stephenson (copy After John Lucas)
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the main value ranges with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of color for the figure's clothing and skin.
- step 04
Refine the facial features and add details to the portrait.
- step 05
Develop the background landscape, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Paint the train in the background, keeping it soft and indistinct.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create atmospheric perspective by adding blue and white to the background colors.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the details before establishing the overall values.
- →Making the background too sharp and detailed.
- →Using too much black, resulting in a muddy painting
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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