plate no. 3853
Matthew Arnold
George Frederick Watts, 1880
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, capturing likeness, and using subtle value changes to create form. It also provides practice in blending and layering paint to achieve a realistic skin tone and texture.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the overall composition and placement of the figure on the canvas.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the background, skin tones, and clothing.
- step 04
Refine the values and colors in the face, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, beard, and clothing, using smaller brushes.
- step 06
Blend the edges of the forms to create a smooth transition between colors.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a realistic and expressive portrait.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones using burnt umber, raw sienna, and white, with small amounts of red and blue for subtle variations. Darken areas with ivory black and burnt umber. Use white to create highlights.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·value control
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
- →Overworking the painting, resulting in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle value changes in the face.
- →Using too much paint, which can make the painting look heavy and unnatural.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is a good starting point.
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