plate no. 6034

Portrait of Alfred Bruyas

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitmanchairbeardclothingfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding the use of light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure within the chair.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of dark green, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the head, torso, and hands, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows that define the form.
step 05
Develop the beard, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery, and using darker values to create depth.
step 07
Add details to the chair and accessories, such as the watch chain and ring.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix different shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and white. Add small amounts of red or green to warm or cool the tones as needed.

techniques

·portraiture
·chiaroscuro
·scumbling
·glazing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in value that define the form.
→Ignoring the importance of edges and allowing them to become too hard or too soft.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, viridian green)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags