plate no. 6224

Portrait of Alfred Reynolds in the Taubman Museum of Art

oilRealismportraitportraitmanmilitaryuniformfacial hairfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It will also provide practice in depicting textures and details in clothing and facial features.

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 overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark, muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face and uniform with basic color mixtures.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions in the skin tones.
step 05
Add details to the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the uniform, adding details such as buttons, insignia, and folds.
step 07
Develop the mustache and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark tones in the uniform and background.

techniques