plate no. 9638

Henry Simpson Newland

oilTonalismportraitportraitfigurerobemedalacademic dressman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating form through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of fabric and the sheen of metal.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, focusing on proportions and placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main shapes with thin washes of color, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the background with muted reds and browns, blending the tones smoothly.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones, layering different shades of pink, ochre, and white.
step 05
Define the details of the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Paint the robe, using varying shades of yellow and black to create depth and texture.
step 07
Add the details of the medal and other accessories, using small brushes for precision.
step 08
Refine the painting, adjusting values and adding highlights to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · ivory black · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The robe's yellow is brightened with cadmium yellow and dulled with burnt umber. The background is a mix of burnt umber and alizarin crimson, lightened with white.

techniques

·tonal painting
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Using too much paint and losing the subtle value gradations.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the importance of edges and transitions.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium yellow, ivory black, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags