plate no. 9865
Portrait of a boy
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including understanding light and shadow on the face, and mixing skin tones. It will also improve their ability to create form with visible brushstrokes.
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 boy's head and shoulders.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of brown and grey.
- step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of skin tones.
- step 04
Begin to define the features of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the shapes and folds of the fabric.
- step 06
Add details to the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the edges and details of the painting, making sure to maintain the overall harmony of the composition.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · ivory black · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the skin tones in the shadows. Create darker values by adding ivory black to the primary colors.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush
- ·blending
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value on the face.
- →Getting the proportions wrong, which can distort the likeness.
- →Using too much detail too early in the painting process.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 12x16
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting to paint.
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