plate no. 7144
Michael J. McGivney
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in portraiture, specifically capturing likeness and subtle skin tones. Students will also develop skills in rendering fabric and creating a sense of depth through value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of blended blues, greens, and yellows.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, using a limited palette of skin tones.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Paint the hair, using short, directional strokes to create texture and form.
- step 06
Block in the dark values of the clothing, creating a sense of depth and volume.
- step 07
Add the white collar and refine the details of the buttons.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · cadmium red light
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. The background is a blend of blues, greens, and yellows, thinned with medium. The clothing is primarily black with subtle variations in value created by adding small amounts of blue or umber.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·value studies
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value, leading to a lack of realism.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch, making it difficult to capture the likeness.
- →Using too much paint, resulting in a muddy or overworked appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, burnt umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light, sap green)
- ·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for blending and layering.
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