plate no. 9835

John F. Kennedy Official Portrait

Aaron Shikler, 1970

oil, canvasNew Realismportraitportraitfiguremansuitformal wearhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding subtle value shifts to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thinned paint.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the angles and proportions of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the details of the suit, focusing on the folds and creases in the fabric.
step 05
Work on the background, using loose brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Refine the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create a realistic and lifelike appearance.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition, ensuring that all elements are in harmony.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and white for the background. Use burnt sienna and white with touches of yellow ochre for skin tones. Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the suit's shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·value studies
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, burnt sienna, ivory black, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels