plate no. 4302

He Gained a Fortune but He Gave a Son

C. R. W. Nevinson, 1918

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureinteriorfireplaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form through subtle value changes.

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 figure and the background elements.
step 02
Establish the main areas of color, blocking in the background, clothing, and skin tones with thin washes.
step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the collar, tie, and jacket, using darker values to create contrast.
step 05
Work on the background elements, such as the fireplace and the wall, adding details and textures.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · viridian

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, and burnt sienna, adding small amounts of red for warmth. Use ivory black and raw umber for the dark clothing, and mix white with a touch of yellow ochre for the lighter vest.

techniques

·portraiture
·scumbling
·glazing
·blending
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations in color.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions and anatomical details.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.