plate no. 3342
Portrait of a Man Against the Light
Arthur Segal, 1935
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict strong light and shadow, and how to create a sense of depth using value changes. It also provides practice in rendering skin tones and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, window, and plants.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of shadow on the face and body using a dark, neutral color.
- step 03
Establish the background colors: the sky, plants, and window frame.
- step 04
Begin to refine the shapes of the face and hair, paying close attention to the edges of the shadows.
- step 05
Add highlights to the shirt and hair to create form.
- step 06
Develop the details of the plants in the background.
- step 07
Refine the colors and values throughout the painting.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cerulean blue · cadmium green · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of brown and gray for the shadows. Use white and yellow ochre to create highlights. Mix blue and white for the sky. Use a mix of green, yellow, and brown for the plants.
techniques
- ·value studies
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the shadows, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Ignoring the importance of edges in defining form.
- →Not paying attention to the overall balance of light and shadow.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
