plate no. 1218

Hector Berlioz

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghairhistorical

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and clothing folds using a limited palette. Students will learn to create depth and form through subtle value changes and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and torso.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, neutral tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of burnt sienna. Darken values with ivory black and raw umber. Use cadmium red light sparingly for the lips and cheeks.

techniques