plate no. 9603

H. W. Buddicom

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingbackground

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 blending and layering paint to create soft transitions and realistic textures.

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 and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of brown.
step 03
Block in the major value areas of the face, hair, and clothing using a limited palette.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and buttons.
step 06
Soften edges and blend transitions to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a focal point.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques