plate no. 6303
Mrs A. A. Jack
Augustus John, 1898
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and subtle skin tones. Students can develop skills in layering paint and creating soft transitions.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing.
- step 04
Begin layering skin tones, paying attention to subtle color variations.
- step 05
Refine the features of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add details to the hair and clothing, such as highlights and folds.
- step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Mix skin tones using white, red, umber, and a touch of yellow. Use black and umber for shadows and clothing. Add white to lighten values.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·value control
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Getting the proportions wrong.
- →Using too much paint.
- →Not paying attention to the values.
- →Creating muddy colors.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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