plate no. 5290
John Russell
John Russell, 1780
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in value shading, portrait proportions, and capturing subtle facial expressions. It also provides practice in rendering textures like hair and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the oval and the basic proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Refine the sketch, paying close attention to the placement of facial features.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the background and clothing.
- step 04
Begin layering mid-tones on the face, gradually building up the form.
- step 05
Add highlights to the hair and face, using a light touch.
- step 06
Refine the details of the clothing and hair, paying attention to the texture.
- step 07
Adjust the values and contrast to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final details and refine edges.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · payne's gray
secondary · raw umber
Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white in different ratios. Add a touch of raw umber to warm up the skin tones.
techniques
- ·value shading
- ·blending
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·portrait proportions
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Incorrect proportions of facial features
- →Uneven blending of values
- →Lack of contrast
- →Getting the likeness wrong
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·payne's gray oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#4 filbert brush
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·raw umber oil paint
Use a smooth canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the mid-tones.
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