plate no. 7671

Head of a Tramp

oilRealismportraitportraitmanhatfacetramp

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, specifically capturing likeness and expression through value and line. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes and a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the darkest values with a thin wash of dark brown, focusing on areas like the eyes, mouth, and shadows under the hat.
step 03
Gradually build up mid-tones using diluted washes of brown and ochre, layering to create depth.
step 04
Use dry brush techniques with thicker paint to add texture to the skin, hat, and clothing.
step 05
Introduce subtle hints of blue and purple in the shadows to create a more nuanced color palette.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, focusing on the eyes and mouth to capture the subject's expression.
step 07
Add final highlights with a light ochre or cream color to accentuate the form.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and consider adding a protective varnish.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · purple

Mix burnt umber and raw sienna for the base skin tones. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to burnt umber for shadows. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques