plate no. 5059
Portrait of a Musician
Thomas Hart Benton, 1949
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict the texture and form of a musical instrument.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the bass using light pencil lines.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the bass, focusing on the wood grain and the highlights.
- step 06
Add the details of the bow and strings.
- step 07
Refine the background, blending the colors smoothly.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the skin tones and the bass. Use ultramarine blue and white for the background, adding small amounts of other colors to create subtle variations.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·color mixing
- ·rendering form
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure or the bass.
- →Muddy or unrealistic skin tones.
- →Lack of attention to detail in the clothing or the instrument.
- →Overblending the colors, resulting in a flat or lifeless painting.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended.
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