plate no. 9810
Head
Magnus Enckell, 1894
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and creating depth through value contrasts. It also provides practice in layering and blending paint to achieve a realistic effect.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and background, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Apply a thin underpainting of burnt umber to the entire canvas.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the skin tones, the red clothing, and the dark background.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Develop the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Refine the red clothing, adding depth and texture with visible brushstrokes.
- step 07
Adjust the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones using titanium white, burnt umber, and small amounts of yellow ochre and cadmium red. Achieve the red clothing color by mixing cadmium red with burnt umber and a touch of black. The background is primarily black with hints of ultramarine blue.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·value study
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations in color.
- →Creating a flat, lifeless background.
- →Failing to capture the correct proportions of the face.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·black oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth and luminosity of the colors.
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