plate no. 6655
Mr. Baylor
Joshua Johnson, 1805
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including proportion and capturing likeness, as well as understanding subtle value changes to create form. Students will also learn to mix realistic skin tones and render simple details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral tone.
- step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and clothing using thin washes of color.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in value.
- step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
- step 06
Refine the clothing and hands, adding details like folds and wrinkles.
- step 07
Paint the paper and writing, focusing on the overall shape and value rather than individual letters.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Darker tones are created by adding more umber and a touch of blue. The black clothing is achieved by mixing ivory black with a touch of umber.
techniques
- ·portrait sketching
- ·value studies
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the face.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes that create form.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brush (size 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder
Use a smooth canvas for best results. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly, while oils allow for more blending time.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
