plate no. 2685
Nicolae Petraşcu in 'Hidalgo'
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of muted green and brown.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color: the dark suit, the white collar and shirt, and the flesh tones.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
- step 05
Develop the details of the lace collar, using small brushstrokes to suggest the intricate pattern.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the suit to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the chair and background, adding subtle details and textures.
- step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · viridian
Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to warm the flesh tones. Muted greens can be achieved by mixing viridian with raw umber and white.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·value studies
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Making the colors too saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for the painting.
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