plate no. 2147
John H. Sununu
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures and lighting on various surfaces.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Develop the details of the suit and tie, focusing on the fabric texture.
- step 05
Paint the background elements, including the flag and the painting on the wall.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the edges and details to achieve a realistic effect.
- step 08
Apply a final glaze to unify the colors and enhance the overall appearance.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre
secondary · titanium white · ivory black · raw sienna
Mix various shades of brown and gray for the suit and desk. Use red and white for the flag stripes. Create skin tones by mixing red, yellow, and brown with white.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·color mixing
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the face
- →Overly harsh or flat lighting
- →Inaccurate color mixing
- →Neglecting the background details
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 or larger) is recommended.
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