plate no. 8678

Podobizna Josefa Tulky

oilRealismportraitportraitmanbeardsuitfigurehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating subtle value shifts to define form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and suit.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin, even wash.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing using mid-tones.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the hair and beard, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Develop the folds and shadows in the clothing, using darker values to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use ivory black and ultramarine blue for the dark suit. Create grays by mixing black and white.

techniques