plate no. 3390
Old Spaniard
Robert Henri, 1924
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and expression, as well as understanding how to use a limited palette to create depth and form. It also provides practice in loose, expressive brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hat, and hands.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hat, clothing, and staff, using a limited palette.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the highlights and shadows that define the form.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing and hat, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Work on the hands, capturing their gesture and form.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red to warm up the skin tones. Add touches of ultramarine blue and viridian green for cool shadows and accents.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Using too much color and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the likeness and expression of the subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, viridian green)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the dark background more easily.
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