plate no. 1520

João Alves Rubião Junior

oilRealismportraitportraitmanclothingfacial hairglassesbow tie

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and creating a realistic skin tone.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the placement of key features.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of neutral colors, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Begin to build up the dark values of the suit, using thin layers of paint.
step 04
Establish the mid-tones and highlights on the face, focusing on the planes of the face and the direction of light.
step 05
Refine the details of the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the details of the clothing, such as the bow tie and collar.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details, such as the glasses and any subtle textures.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray for the background by combining white, black, and a touch of umber. Achieve skin tones by blending white, sienna, ochre, and a small amount of red.

techniques