plate no. 3484

Man seated by a Radiator

Norman Rockwell, 1935

oil, canvasRegionalismportraitmanchairradiatorcatwindowinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing realistic skin tones, and rendering textures like fabric and wood. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the man, chair, radiator, and window.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the red curtains, the man's suit, the chair, and the radiator.
step 04
Start building up the values in the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the chair, radiator, and window, adding texture and dimension.
step 06
Paint the cat, focusing on its eyes and fur.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or ultramarine blue to adjust the temperature of the colors. Use cadmium red for the curtains and book, and mix it with burnt umber to create darker shades.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of unity.
→Not paying enough attention to the values and creating a flat, lifeless painting.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy, overworked surface.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, cadmium red, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags