plate no. 1116
Portrait of Architect Johann De Colle
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, specifically in rendering realistic skin tones and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing the texture of clothing and facial hair.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the figure's proportions and pose.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, and clothing.
- step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering thin glazes of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Add details to the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Refine the clothing and add details like the bow tie and collar.
- step 07
Work on the beard and hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow, red, and a touch of blue. Use burnt umber and black for dark areas and shadows. Mix white with a touch of yellow for highlights.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the face.
- →Ignoring subtle value changes, leading to a flat, lifeless portrait.
- →Overworking details too early in the painting process.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
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