apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Porträtt Av Ernest Thiel
Porträtt Av Ernest Thiel by Eugène Jansson

plate no. 5708

Porträtt Av Ernest Thiel

Eugène Jansson, 1902

oilSymbolismcityscapeportraitfiguremanclothingbow tiehead
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portrait proportions and color mixing for skin tones and fabric. It also provides an opportunity to explore subtle brushwork and blending techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the head, shoulders, and clothing.

  2. step 02

    Block in the background with a light wash of yellow and ochre, creating subtle variations in tone.

  3. step 03

    Establish the main values of the face, using a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red for the skin tones.

  4. step 04

    Paint the hair and beard using dark blues and browns, adding highlights with lighter tones.

  5. step 05

    Block in the clothing with a light blue-gray mixture, paying attention to the folds and shadows.

  6. step 06

    Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and subtle color variations.

  7. step 07

    Refine the details of the clothing, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and texture.

  8. step 08

    Add the final details, such as the bow tie and any other small elements, and adjust the overall composition as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber

Mix yellow ochre and white for the background and skin tones. Add a touch of burnt sienna to warm the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and white for the clothing, and mix with raw umber for shadows.

techniques

  • ·wet-on-wet blending
  • ·color mixing
  • ·portrait proportions
  • ·scumbling

common pitfalls

  • →Incorrect proportions of the face and body.
  • →Overblending the colors, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
  • →Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and color.
  • →Getting the skin tones wrong.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·ultramarine blue oil paint
  • ·burnt sienna oil paint
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium gloss
  • ·easel

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paints and improve blending.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Satan Addressing his Potentates

Satan Addressing his Potentates

William Blake

Self-portrait in studio

Self-portrait in studio

Franz Stuck

Tajik

Tajik

Kuzmá Petrov-Vodkin

View from the studio in Eerbeek

View from the studio in Eerbeek

Jan Mankes

Harlequin's garden

Harlequin's garden

Serge Sudeikin

Incantation

Incantation

Felicien Rops

Anzac, the Landing

Anzac, the Landing

George Washington Lambert

Paisatge

Paisatge

Joan Brull