plate no. 8876
Longing for More
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and capturing subtle expressions. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through value and color.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and the doorway.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of the dominant warm tone.
- step 03
Block in the dark areas of the figures and the doorway, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones and highlights on the figures, focusing on the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 05
Refine the details of the faces, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add the details of the clothing, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and form.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of skin tones by combining burnt sienna, raw umber, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red light. Use ivory black to create the dark tones in the clothing and background. Yellow ochre can be used to warm up the background color.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·value studies
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle expressions on the faces.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for best results. If using oil paints, allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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