plate no. 9029

Portrait of a young man in a green robe

oilRomanticismportraitportraitmanrobeclothingshadowsface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. Students will also learn how to depict fabric folds and subtle variations in light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing, and background.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle layers of color to create depth and form.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Work on the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 06
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the hair and clothing.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · Prussian blue · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending white, burnt sienna, and a touch of red or yellow. Achieve the green robe color by mixing black, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Darken colors with burnt umber or black.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow.
→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: titanium white, ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, Prussian blue
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife