plate no. 7381
Merse portrait
Jozsef Rippl-Ronai, 1911
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing textures using visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, chair, and background, focusing on proportions and composition.
- step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the background, chair, and clothing using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Define the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing and chair, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the background and adjust the overall color balance.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
- step 08
Let dry and add a varnish layer for protection.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones using burnt sienna, yellow ochre, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red light. Achieve the green of the chair by mixing viridian green with yellow ochre and a touch of ivory black. The background is a mix of ultramarine blue, titanium white, and a hint of burnt sienna.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·alla prima
- ·color layering
- ·portrait sketching
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish accurate proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows and highlights.
- →Using too much paint and losing the texture of the brushstrokes.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 16x20
- ·Oil paints: ivory black, titanium white, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, viridian green, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Medium (e.g. Liquin)
Use a medium-tooth canvas to allow for visible brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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